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…

Take your work seriously, don't take yourself seriously

by Harvey Mackay — Author, Mackay Mitchell

"Dilbert," which is carried in 1,100 newspapers, has helped us laugh at the crazy dynamics of the workplace. Now if we could only start laughing at ourselves.

Social media raising stakes for customer service

May 2, 2012

Americans are growing more frustrated with customer service, and their social media savvy is making it hard for businesses to get away with ignoring the…

Six retailers who blew it - BIG

When I give presentations, I typically like to use case studies to show customers best practices. However, it is frequently the object lessons of who blew it…

Kroger's prescription for phone relief

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Anyone who regularly goes to the pharmacy knows that the sound of a ringing phone is as prevalent as the rattle of bottled pills. Now Kroger Co. is testing a…

When to use customer service games in training

by Peggy Carlaw — VP, Impact Learning Systems

Customer service games can add spice to a training program. I ought to know, I wrote the book! Unfortunately, I've seen too many games used just because ...

Infographic: The evolution of customer experience

Sheridan Orr gives an overview and history of the ever-changing customer experience.

Who's running your business?

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

What would you say if someone told you that they were responding to 600 proposals a year versus 150 in prior years? Who among us wouldn't like to see that…

Bike seller bridging e-commerce, brick-and-mortar gap with build-a-bike kiosks

April 18, 2012

According to the Fort Collins (Colo.) Coloradoan, Fort Collins bicycle retailer Big Shot Bikes is using build-a-bike kiosks to bridge the gap between…

New Balance opens Boston 'Experience' store

April 13, 2012

New Balance is stepping up its game with a new 2,500-square-foot high-tech store at Copley Square in Boston that opens today. The store features artistic…

Gucci unveils mobile POS program

April 12, 2012

Gucci sales associates at select U.S., Europe and Asia locations are equipped with personal Apple iPhone 4S devices to provide shoppers with a more convenient…

Bragability

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

Bragging is usually regarded as a less-than-admirable quality in a person, but I actually enjoy hearing people blow his/her own horn. Excessive self-importance…

Why pet stores are thriving

April 9, 2012

Pet stores are thriving, and some retail experts think it's because they are catering to pet owners who treat their animals like family members, Joanna Felder…

GNC upgrades phone app to enhance store experience

April 9, 2012

GNC Holdings Inc., the nation's largest specialty retailer of health and wellness products, has enhanced its new iPhone app and has also made it available to…

Study: French e-commerce growing despite delivery kinks

April 6, 2012

Although 91 percent of French consumers shopped online over the past year, 27 percent asked for a refund at least once because of delivery hassles, according…

Roundup: How to deliver 'knock your socks off' customer service

Enjoy these excerpts from the customer service classic that recently turned 20.

The Container Store adds 'real-time listening' via OpinionLab

March 29, 2012

OpinionLab today announced that The Container Store, retailer of storage and organization products, is using OpinionLab multichannel feedback solutions to…