Hybrid cloud rains benefits on forward-thinking retailers

Cloud-based digital technologies are transforming the retail industry to provide digitally connected, time-pressed customers with the value they expect — and…

Consumers expect top-tier service and will take leave if retailers fail to deliver

February 1, 2016

Consumers still favor the in-store shopping environment but true optimization from the trend isn’t going to happen for retailers unless customer experience is…

Amazon: We're focused on boosting customer satisfaction, customer experience

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

During its earnings call Thursday Amazon leaders didn't seem too upset about falling short of some analysts' financial expectations and drove home the message…

Amazon mulling subscription music service, earnings call today

January 28, 2016

Amazon is supposedly looking to launch a brand-new music subscription service that would go head-to-head with Apple Music and Spotify, according to a news…

The expanding digital divide between consumers and retailers

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Consumers want it all … but just how much can retailers deliver?

Survey: Consumers want more delivery options and greater delivery transparency

January 27, 2016

Retailers not offering lots of delivery choices aren't making consumers happy. Today's shoppers are willing to pay extra for the delivery option they want…

New York company debuts pure mobile-only grocery checkout

by Will Hernandez — Editor, NetWorld Media Group

While AmazonFresh, FreshDirect and Peapod have offered consumers varying degrees of online and mobile grocery ordering for several years, the in-store…

What Dollar Shave Club knows: Getting an edge on utility

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

The Dollar Shave Club is one sharp example of how manufacturing supply chains are being disrupted. Yet its approach to winning market share is disarmingly…

'Evolved' retailers more likely to succeed compared to pure-play business strategy

January 26, 2016

Retailers going only online, or only in physical store locations, are likely not going to achieve sustainable, long-term operational success.

Discount Tire wheels out mobile payment with one goal in mind

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

The 56-year-old largest tire and wheel retailer realizes that buying tires isn’t usually a fun time for consumers so it wants to make the purchase point as…

Amazon aims to make product re-orders easier than ever

January 21, 2016

Amazon wants to make shopping easier than ever and is building a re-order capability via connected devices tied to its Amazon Dash service.

Amazon flying fast forward with drone service strategy

January 20, 2016

Regulatory challenges, safety hurdles and increasing competition aren't stalling Amazon's plans to be one of the first, if not the first, drone service…

NRF Preview: Retailers shine a light on beacons to drive mobile engagement

by Will Hernandez — Editor, NetWorld Media Group

Multiple mainstream publications near the end of 2015 rushed to declare beacon technology a dud even though Apple first introduced the technology less than…

The great Occam’s Razor paradox for retailing in 2016

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

The law of parsimony is great for consumers, but a burden for retailers.

Apple aims to draw out the artist in iPhone, iPad user base

January 1, 2016

Apple will debut new creative and artistic workshops for device users.

Click and collect: A hat trick retailers can't pull off?

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

'Sort of works' is not acceptable for today's omnichannel consumers.

Dear Santa: All I want for Christmas is equal product pricing across genders

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

From razors and clothing to toys and adult diapers, women are likely always paying more for a product than men.

Zappos’ Santa Claus feat leaves big shoes to fill

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

A recent act of kindness by Zappos has some wondering if it could spin its reputation for feel-good experiences into a marketing tool.

Amazon mulling air freight service operation, claims reports

December 22, 2015

Amazon isn’t just looking to drones to provide faster and more efficient shipping and delivery operations.

Year in Review: 5 insights on why data will remain critical in 2016

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Data, specifically given the looming Internet of Things technology ahead, will prove even more critical for retailers in 2016.