For retailers, too many choices leads to 'just looking'

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

I was intrigued by an article in the Los Angeles Times entitled "Too Many Choices Can Tax the Brain Research Shows." It said in part, "Americans have come to…

Four customer experience management predictions for 2012

by Kimberly Nasief — President, Measure Consumer Perspectives

Customer experience management is going to undergo some serious changes in the coming months, thanks to mobile technology and social media. And I can make a…

Four tips for exceeding your customer's expectations

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

When we exceed a customer's expectation he/she is more likely to make a purchase, become a repeat customer, and tell others about their great experience in our…

Mobile retail startup Signature announces launch

January 26, 2012

Signature Labs, Inc. launched today, and the company said it is "making retail personal again by delivering VIP treatment to shoppers, both in and out of…

Survey says: 51% of shoppers seek online access via in-store kiosks

January 24, 2012

More than half (51 percent) of shoppers in the United States seek out in-store kiosks for access to the retailer's website, according to a recent survey from…

Procter & Gamble seeking way to scan coupons to phones

January 23, 2012

Coupons are coming to consumers' phones, according to Procter & Gamble, who just signed a deal with a Silicon Valley start-up to find a way to scan coupons…

NRF12: Five traits retailers must possess to be future proof

Brick-and-mortar retailers looking for ways to stay relevant got some advice on Tuesday at NRF's Big Show.

NRF12: Why retailers should heart Conscious Capitalism

Executives of Whole Foods and Container Store lay out the four elements of Conscious Capitalism.

NRF survey: Amazon is tops in customer service

January 18, 2012

Consumers have spoken: Amazon.com has the best customer service among U.S. retailers, according to a survey of thousands of shoppers. In a survey of 9,37…

NRF12: 'This Is Retail' video contest unveiled

"We're on a hunt to find the best retail stories in America," says NRF CEO Matthew Shay.

So you aren't Johnny Depp ...

by Harvey Mackay — Author, Mackay Mitchell

Do you lack the dazzle of Angelina Jolie's lagoon-blue eyes or the regal command of Meryl Streep's screen poise? Come up short on George Clooney's suave or…

GUESS deploying iPads to better serve shoppers

January 5, 2012

GUESS Inc. is using iPads to put its products in front of shoppers by implementing the VeriFone GlobalBay iPad Retailing solution inside a dozen stores in the…

What are your 2012 retail resolutions?

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

I know how busy you have likely been for the last few weeks, so I've taken the liberty of putting together some potential resolutions for you and your team in…

Best Buy CEO, FCC chairman among speakers at CES

January 3, 2012

Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn will discuss the state of the retail industry Jan. 11 at the Consumer Electronics Association's 2012 International CES in the Las Vegas…

Online retailers must provide better service

January 3, 2012

Although Cyber Monday 2011 set a record for the most online retail spending in a single day, and the weekend before Christmas was the second heaviest weekend…

Employee turnover: Are you causing it or preventing it?

by Harry Friedman

There are many causes for turnover, but the single biggest reason for turnover in retail stores today is the inability of the sales staff to be successful. But…

Want to be good at customer service? Be mediocre.

by Kimberly Nasief — President, Measure Consumer Perspectives

It's not too hard to rise above the competition these days. When you're out and about doing your errands or eating at a restaurant, how often do you walk out…

Survey announces 10 worst online retailers

January 2, 2012

Is it brand perception or actual high-quality service that gives online retailers their reputations? That's a question that 24/7 Wall St. set out to find by…

Sears CEO: Technology key to revitalizing company

January 2, 2012

Sears' chief executive officer, Lou D'Ambrosio, plans to turn around his company's performance by implementing technology and spending more money on stores…

Re-assuring the assurance factor: Why smiles and happy faces aren't enough

When providing customer service, courtesy is not a substitute for competence and skill.