Fuel perks plus retail equals savvy loyalty play

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

With an economy that is recovering slowly and still keeping millions of Americans unemployed and in a recession-based, purse-strings-tightening mode, it’s…

Opinion: Why mystery shopping isn't enough for retailers

A customer feedback expert offers four reasons why mystery shopping is insufficient for capturing the voice of the customer.

Zappos takes the high road once again, bites a $1.6 million bullet

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

For some companies, a mistake is an opportunity to shirk responsibilities and start passing blame around (*cough* BP *cough* Transocean), but for others, it is…

Retail Review: Total Wine & More

For fans of potent potables, a mind-blowing experience awaits within an old Circuit City location.

Should You Recruit Gay Men To Sell Your Merch? Maybe

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

The Expressive is the spark-plug to your crew. They are the one that adds color, excitement and fun. Is that a gay thing? No, Bob Phibbs says it is an…

Retail Doc to lead interactive session at Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit

May 16, 2010

Bob Phibbs, retail training guru and author of "The Retail Doctor's Guide to Growing Your Business," will lead an interactive session on the first full morning…

The difference between customer experience and customer service

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

"Customer experience" remains a nebulous term for many people, akin to when Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart admitted that he couldn't define what made…

Sword Ciboodle identifies the 'Customer Engagement Continuum'

May 12, 2010

Sword Ciboodle, a provider of customer-oriented business software and services, today announced three new product modules in response to a new marketplace…

Online retailers refining delivery options

May 10, 2010

According to SupplyChainStandard.com, a survey by multichannel logistics operator iForce indicates that online retailers are refining their delivery options…

NCR showcasing new era c-tailing solutions at FMI 2010

May 10, 2010

NCR Corp. will demonstrate its converged retailing — c-tailing — solutions for multichannel retailers in booth #1952 at FMI 2010, the largest food industry…

Let's Call Customer Service Counters What They Are: Damage Control

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Customer service to me happens prior to the sale. Damage control is what happens after. Frequently it is run by people dis-empowered to do anything but cut…

Accenture study says high-tech companies need to improve the consumer experience

May 9, 2010

Accenture today announced that new research it has done shows that communications and high-tech companies — many of which are falling short in their customer…

Four lessons to learn from the success of Miracle Mile Shops

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The Vegas shopping destination has posted double-digit growth for four consecutive months. Here's how.

Disney Institute to keynote Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit

April 27, 2010

Disney Institute has been named the principal keynote for the inaugural Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit, August 1-3 in Chicago.Speakers from the…

Selling the seductiveness of luxury in-store

Why the in-store experience is crucial for creating loyalty to artisanal products.

Best Retail in Romania...Hard Rock?

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Great brands don't just deliver a great experience. They deliver a great experience everywhere!

Going "Beyond" Customer's Expectations

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

On New York's east side, there’s a store with exceptional customer service.  It's not on Madison Avenue. It's not on 5th Avenue. It starts with a “B” but it’s…

10 Reasons Your Retail Competitors Have More Business Than You

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

If I hear one thing over and over from small business owners its, "I just need more customers." Heard it before 9/11, heard it after, heard it during the…

April Quote

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Are the experience you offer customers and the stories they share about you the same?

Making Retail Work: What To Say Before They Go Out The Door

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Giving thought to what employees should say as customers leave is something most of us never consider when trying to build sales. I'm reminded of my first…