Is it the end of an era for enclosed malls?

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

March 11, 2008

Blogger Heather Strang at Retail Design Diva is mourning the apparent death of the enclosed mall, noting that a new one hasn't been built in the United States…

Harris poll: Consumers expect retailers to know their preferences

March 10, 2008

Advertising Age: A Harris Interactive poll finds that a whopping 95 percent of people believe it is at least somewhat important that companies know "who I am…

Bergdorf Goodman named 2008's best customer experience

March 9, 2008

NEW YORK — High net-worth consumers rated Bergdorf Goodman the retailer that offers the best customer experience in the 2008 Luxury Customer Experience Index…

Airport retail, foodservice trending toward more local flavor

March 4, 2008

The Salt Lake Tribune: Airports are responding to longer passenger wait times by improving the quality and focus of their retail and restaurant offerings.

U.S. retailers just beginning to understand customer experience, report says

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 27, 2008

Forrester Research has published "The State of Experience-Based Differentiation," a summary of its recent survey of 287 customer experience decision-makers…

Starbucks closes 7,100 stores for training

February 26, 2008

Wall Street Journal: Starbucks Corp. retaught baristas how to make espresso shots, steam milk and hand drinks to customers while it shut down nearly 7,10…

Opinion: the shopping experience can be more important than the product

February 24, 2008

Advertising Age: Nordstrom executives long have made it their business to do whatever is necessary to please the consumer — everything from stocking every…

Customer satisfaction down overall, up online

February 19, 2008

Medill Reports: Another explanation for lackluster consumer spending emerged Tuesday when the University of Michigan's American Customer Satisfaction Index…

Borders concept store includes digital services

February 13, 2008

USA Today: Borders' new concept store, located in its home town of Ann Arbor, Mich., features a digital center where customers can download music or books…

Ramping up accessibility

February 12, 2008

Accessibility not only is the law, it's good business. Here's how to stay legal and profit at the same time.

Up close and personal

February 12, 2008

Becoming familiar with customers builds lasting loyalty.

Know your customer

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 12, 2008

See how personas help retailers shape the customer experience.

Product pros

February 12, 2008

Knowledgeable employees are trained, not hired.

Clarity UC solution lets sales associates go mobile

February 11, 2008

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Clarity Consulting Inc. demonstrated a new Unified Communications (UC) retail solution today at Microsoft's Office System Developer…

Healthnotes program shown to increase shopper satisfaction, drive sales

February 6, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. — Healthnotes announced results of an in-store test conducted by an independent firm showing that the company's "Fresh Ideas" program drives…

Chocolate lounge invites customers to sit back and relax

February 4, 2008

Display & Design Ideas: In recent years, chocolatiers have picked up on consumers' fond sentiments for the cocoa bean and have begun opening chocolate…

Wal-Mart launches online shopping tool for Valentine's Day

February 4, 2008

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart has introduced HelpaChickPick.com and re-introduced HelpaGuyBuy.com, online shopping tools that help customers identify the gift…

Retail clinics a symptom of change in patient demand

February 3, 2008

The Tennessean: The medical profession should not be surprised that small, convenient retail clinics are popping up as popular destinations for patients. The…

Online shoppers expect more from the experience

February 3, 2008

Marketing Charts: Some 67 percent of consumers say their expectations about the quality of their online shopping experience had increased from the previous…

Office Depot adds customer product reviews to Web site

January 27, 2008

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Delray Beach-based Office Depot, the world's second-largest office supply retailer, recently launched a new product review and…