As economy slows, stores emphasize customer service

June 22, 2008

Reuters: As high gasoline prices and tighter credit lead people to curb their shopping, consumer products companies are renewing their focus on customer…

Report sheds light on tricky security issues

June 19, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Consumer fraud and identity theft numbers have risen steadily over the past few years, and, whether you realize it or not, your customers are…

Self-service transactions to top $1.7 trillion by 2012

June 18, 2008

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Transactions at self-service kiosks will surpass $607 billion this year in North America as consumers continue to embrace self-service…

E-tailers tailoring the experience to match user preferences

June 15, 2008

Seattle Times: Online retailers never meant to offer highly customized service when virtual stores were a new concept. But a decade later, it's that…

Designing luxury retail for young men

June 12, 2008

Design Week: Credit crunch or not, luxury seems here to stay. And while the world chooses to turn a blind eye to hedge fund managers and energy oligarchs…

IBM, SelfServiceWorld.com announce free webinar on reaching the 'new consumer'

June 10, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - IBM, a global provider of business technologies, and Self-Service World, the leading news and information source covering the self-service…

LivePerson debuts third-generation live-assistance solution

June 8, 2008

NEW YORK — LivePerson Inc., a provider of online engagement solutions that facilitate real-time assistance and expert advice, announced the availability of…

Report: shopper marketing success requires understanding the customer

June 4, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio — All shopper marketing campaigns are not created equal because every retailer has a unique customer base. For a campaign to be successful…

Grocers reach out to cash-strapped shoppers

June 1, 2008

Columbus Dispatch: Recognizing the financial pinch some of their customers are feeling and the strain that might put on customer loyalty, grocery chains are…

Shoppers expect high-tech options in coming years

May 21, 2008

Media Post: According to the New Future In Store by TNS, 60 percent of shoppers across the globe believe that they will be able to pay for purchases using…

Balancing act

May 13, 2008

Retailers must juggle staff and technology to give shoppers an optimal experience.

Study: customers dislike the wireless retail sales experience

May 12, 2008

Marketing Daily: America's love affair with the automobile has been matched by its love affair with the cell phone. People seem very happy to be using them…

Fujitsu, Socket Mobile partner on mobile data collection

May 12, 2008

SUNNYVALE, Calif. and NEWARK, Calif. — Socket Mobile Inc. and Fujitsu Computer Systems Corp. announced a strategic partnership and plans for joint product…

New report details ROI for in-store digital signage

May 11, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Digital Signage Association has published "Retail Digital Signage ROI: Finding the break-even point," an exclusive research report that…

Wal-Mart opens first Hispanic store

May 7, 2008

Marketplace: In Garland, Texas, Wal-Mart has opened its first superstore targeted to Hispanic customers. Wal-Mart wanted to meet the need of the surrounding…

Consumers expecting more from online retail

May 6, 2008

Marketing Charts: Consumers cite the web as the fastest-growing retail channel — by a 2-to-1 margin — and are starting to expect more from businesses, such as…

Sears fighting bad economy with improvements to customer experience

May 6, 2008

Chicago Tribune: The chairman of Sears Holdings Corp. went on the defensive Monday, saying the troubled retailer's conservative approach to spending money…

Shortlist announced for 2008 European Retail Solutions Awards

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

April 30, 2008

Nominees have been announced for the eighth annual European Retail Solutions Awards, which will be awarded in a ceremony June 25 at Old Billingsgate Market in…

Retailers focus on convenience, self-service to fight online

April 28, 2008

Brand Republic: Retailers are planning to introduce fresh store concepts to counter competition from the Internet by making shopping more convenient. According…

Retailers experiment with new loyalty programs

April 27, 2008

Wall Street Journal: Rising food and oil prices combined with a downward spiraling economy have spurred consumers to spend less time shopping and more time…