Using customer feedback as an advantage

by Shep Hyken — CAO, Shepard Presentations

Customers have always had a voice, but today it is louder than ever. Great companies want to hear from their customers. They want their feedback, opinions and…

More than a lost sale

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

During a store visit I got a chance to talk with a young woman I consider an excellent sales person. She delivered very engaging experiences and seemed focused…

Five customer service tactics to increase sales

by Shep Hyken — CAO, Shepard Presentations

As you read this, you may think this article could fall under the heading of sales tactics. I respectfully disagree. This is all about customer service, as it…

2014 is 'The Year of Empathy,' according to Temkin Group research

January 15, 2014

Bruce Temkin, widely recognized as a customer experience visionary, has released his annual listing of customer experience trends to watch. Headlining the…

NRF 2014 opener: Retail stores 'meet a human need, not just a commercial one'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

An innovative mall operator opened this year's Big Show with a fresh breath of optimism and positivity.

How real-life customer needs drive innovation

Customer experience innovation is all about looking for examples of what's working and what your customer really wants next.

Your staff inventory and 2014 development goals

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

Hello again and Happy New Year!

Late flurry of online sales nails UPS, retailers

December 26, 2013

A number of large retailers that promised to deliver goods before Dec. 25, including Amazon, Walmart and Kohl's, missed some of their deadlines, and the finger…

Tips for embracing showrooming during the holidays

In a surprising move, Best Buy is wholeheartedly embracing showrooming this holiday season. What gives?

5 ways to a customer-centric contact center

Your contact center is often the first introduction - or the last straw - a customer has with your company.

Simon, Macerich and Westfield malls launch same-day delivery

December 12, 2013

Deliv, a same-day delivery company, today announced alliances with three of America's largest mall operators, Simon Property Group, Macerich and Westfield, to…

Retailers commit to 'Customer Bill of Rights'

December 10, 2013

On Monday, a number of large retailers met with the Rev. Al Sharpton, and agreed to publish and abide by a Customer Bill of Rights. The meeting, and the…

Startup unveils wearable tech for retail floor, cloud connection

December 10, 2013

Technology start-up Theatro today announced the general availability of the Communicator Software-as-a-Service offering, a mobile workforce productivity…

Lululemon chairman Chip Wilson resigns

December 10, 2013

Chip Wilson, the controversial co-founder and chairman of Lululemon, has resigned from his position. Laurent Potdevin, recently the president of TOMS Shoes…

How to win with holiday shoppers, in-store and online

by Gary Edwards — Chief Customer Officer, Emathica

Fourth-quarter retail sales can make or break a brand, since anywhere from one-third to seventy percent of annual retail sales occur between Thanksgiving and…

Is there a strategy for customer loyalty?

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

We often think of customer loyalty as something that the customer does or is responsible for to the business. But, real loyalty begins when the business is…

The one word you need to know when it comes to holiday returns

by Micah Solomon — president, four aces inc

What’s the right way to handle holiday returns? Cheerfully.

Three tips to improve local retail customer experiences during the holidays

by Gary Edwards — Chief Customer Officer, Emathica

It's that time of year again. The holiday retail shopping season is upon us and scores of consumers are headed to your brick-and-mortar stores in search of…

Walmart worker and OUR Walmart member responds to CEO resignation

November 25, 2013

Walmart CEO Mike Duke announced today that he would be stepping down on January 31. The company immediately announced that Doug McMillon, currently the head of…

Building an “Insurance Store in a Box” Solution

From an innocuous request-for-info email 2 years ago, Meridian and Direct General Auto Insurance commenced on the path of a self-service solution that would…