Netflix takes service outage, turns it into a customer service opportunity

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Quick response and a proactive attitude turn what could have been a negative into a win for the brand.

The financial discipline of customer experience

For the retail CFO, customer experience needs to shift from a "nice to have" to a "must have."

Secrets of high-concept retailers

Retailers such as American Girl that forge their own path thrive, despite tough times.

Sunoco debuts new store layout

May 11, 2009

NEW YORK — CBX, a strategic branding, design and consultancy agency, has completed a new store layout for Sunoco's APlus-branded convenience store operation.

Avery Dennison announces mobile merchandising tool

May 10, 2009

PASADENA — Avery Dennison Corp. and Scanbuy Inc. have joined forces to produce a new mobile-merchandising solution that uses camera phone technology to enhance…

KIOSKCOM: Survey reveals consumer attitudes toward self-service

May 7, 2009

LAS VEGAS — During an educational session at the KioskCom Self Service Expo Thursday, attendees sampled exclusive results of consumer research that reveals…

Opinion: Retailers giving lip service to customer service

Noted retail trainer and author discusses how the concept of customer service has been watered down by many retailers.

Walmart unveils first Hispanic concept store

April 30, 2009

Progressive Grocer: "We are introducing a new and authentic shopping experience that will better serve the needs of the community and will be more relevant to…

Is price the only 'P' that matters?

Convenience-based value propositions are losing their appeal as people are repricing their free time.

Enhancing the In-Store Experience

Watch this exclusive presentation from GlobalShop 2009 featuring Brian Ardinger, Chief Marketing Officer at Nanonation. In today's market you need to figure…

Espresso Book Machine prints books on demand, while the customer waits

April 23, 2009

Times Online: Beginning next week a small revolution in bookselling will make searching for obscure, out-of-print and otherwise long-forgotten books a whole…

Finding the financial value of the customer

When making customer service decisions, consider the lifetime revenue each customer provides — and their potential for sending referrals.

Opinion: Loyalty is more than points programs

Building a perfect loyalty program requires a delicate balance between reward and customer effort — and online retailers are leading the way.

Denver retailer is half gallery, half store

April 15, 2009

The Denver Post: Part gallery and part retail shop, Composition offers what owner Jennifer Roberts calls "curated rotational retail." The themed shopping…

Microsoft's Retail Experience Center: It's all about connectedness

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The Redmond giant's retail test lab focuses on connecting all the moving parts of a retail enterprise, right down to the customer level.

POPAI announces digital signage award winners

April 7, 2009

LAS VEGAS — POPAI, The Global Association for Marketing at Retail, has announced the winners of its 2009 Digital Signage Awards.

Maritz, Welcome Real-Time announce POS-based marketing and loyalty program

April 6, 2009

ST. LOUIS — Maritz and Welcome Real-Time have announced a partnership to launch a new loyalty solution in the United States and Canada. The offering, Maritz…

Assisted Selling and the Point of Decision

With more choices than ever before, customers need information at the point of decision on an infinite array of products. Digital technology can help retailers…

Loyalty programs and brand loyalty

Branded goods, and stores themselves, need to find new ways to engage and connect with shoppers.

Carnival placing 'interactive aquariums' in empty store windows

April 1, 2009

Display & Design Ideas: Carnival Cruise Lines is placing interactive digital "aquariums" into empty store windows in six U.S. cities. The promotion, which…