Z Gallerie using Aruba technology for iPads

June 13, 2012

Z Gallerie, a retailer of home decor merchandise, has deployed Aruba Networks technology to support in-store sales and enhance customer engagement. Based on…

New global standard to 'make product recall more effective'

June 13, 2012

Improving product and consumer safety in the global supply chain is critical, which is why GS1, a not-for-profit organization that designs and manages a global…

John Lewis using OpenSpan tech to enhance customer service

June 12, 2012

OpenSpan Inc., a provider of user process analytics, optimization and automation solutions, is now working with John Lewis, a department store group with…

The seven reasons independent retailers go broke

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

When I was first starting my retail consultancy business back in the 90?s, independent retailers dreaded the arrival of retail super chains like Walmart in…

Revel globally launches POS system for iPad, iPhone

June 6, 2012

Revel Systems' retail POS system for the iPad and iPhone — called "Atlas" — is now available worldwide.

Commentary: Lessons learned from mystery shopping

Mystery shopping has helped c-stores protect their bottom lines by ensuring attentiveness to the shopper.

NRF announces winners of 'This is Retail' (videos)

Nearly 1 million votes were cast during the contest.

Staying on your customer's friends list

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

Many of us strive to be No. 1, but when it comes to social circles, the first task is to make it into the 150.

Making the right choice ... for your customer

by Doug Fleener — President and Managing Partner, Dynamic Experiences Group, LLC

Retailers make subconscious choices between making things easier for themselves or delivering the best experience for their customers almost every day. We…

When will I see the results of my customer experience program?

by Colin Shaw — Founder & CEO, Beyond Philosophy

When we start working with a client to improve their customer experience I am often asked, "How long will it be before we see a result?" On the face of it…

Call center coaching: Five tips to ensure your success

by Peggy Carlaw — VP, Impact Learning Systems

Managing staff — in any form — is hard work and requires a well-stocked repertoire of people skills, business acumen, and the ability to juggle multiple…

Why customers seem scarce - part 2

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

Last week we discussed how to grow your revenues, profits and customer bases when facing the challenges of industry overcapacity or a dying industry. Both…

Where Best Buy went wrong

Experts discuss why the retail giant is shrinking and whether it can stage a comeback.

Anything they can do, you can do better

by Aaron Shapiro — CEO, HUGE

Take a look at the first-class section on any airplane today; it's full of corporate leaders lugging around Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs biography, searching…

E-commerce sites improving customer service

May 9, 2012

A record 36 of the Top 100 online retailers achieved the "threshold for excellence" on the annual Top 100 E-Retail Satisfaction Index from customer experience…

Fact or excuse? It depends.

by Doug Fleener — President and Managing Partner, Dynamic Experiences Group, LLC

While working with executives, owners and managers I hear a lot of reasons why something did or did not happen. Recently I've noticed that sometimes it feels…

To ignite your customers, fire up your employees

I'm one of those connected customers. I scan QR codes. I read product reviews. I'm never without my phone and it is loaded and ready with Google Shopper, Red…

Two tales of retail showrooming

by Jeff Weidauer — Vice President, Marketing & Strategy, Vestcom International, Inc.

By now most folks have heard about "showrooming," the relatively new activity where consumers visit a brick and mortar store, look at a product they are…

Why small retailers must work harder on customer service

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

This is a tale of two retailers, one of them a single-location local boutique shop, the other a major multinational corporation. One of them recently gave me…

Sometimes, taking care of non-customers makes your customers happier

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Caring about people isn't enough on its own to create a transformational customer experience. Without caring, however, treasured moments of genuine human…