Opinion: Technology is a must for department store success

September 21, 2012

A blog post on the Australian website The Conversation highlighted the rocky future facing department store retail. 

Macy's flagship face-lift upsets preservationists

September 20, 2012

Macy's department store is upsetting a few New Yorkers, according to an article in the Salt Lake Tribune.

The Walmart whale is making waves in South Africa retail

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

It is one thing to read about international retailing, but quite another to experience it firsthand. I've visited South Africa several times on safaris, but…

JCP spurring Macy's profitability?

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

In his August 8, 2012 New York Post article, "Macy's profit climbs 16%," James Covert states "[Macy's] Profit rose 16% as the New York-based retailer continued…

Fashion industry gets bigger with more plus-size options

August 27, 2012

Fashion-forward and plus-size have long been separated within the female fashion industry. With most traditional retailers offering up to a size 12…

When will the penny finally drop for J.C. Penney's Ron Johnson?

J.C. Penney showed a big 2Q 2012 loss, down another 23 percent, which is much bigger than expected.

Target going urban

July 23, 2012

Target opens its first urban concept called CityTarget next week in Chicago. The two-story location will feature more checkout lanes, two-shelf shopping…

Commentary: Paying attention to the Retail Rule of Six

Loyal customers are six times more likely to rebuff competitive offers, especially price-based offers.

There's no room for revolutionaries on Wall Street

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Several months ago, JC Penney CEO Ron Johnson and his newly formed executive team made some significant changes to the pricing and promotional structure for…

Retail Customer Experience launches retail podcast

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The weekly wrap-up show will focus on the big events of the week, with food-for-thought for the days ahead.

Price addiction: Why retailers are hooked on discounting

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

It never ceases to amaze me how addicted people get to low prices. You probably think I'm talking about buyers, don't you? Well I'm not.

Despite reboot, JCPenney still struggling

May 17, 2012

It's not looking good for JC Penney despite its new look and goal to turn around sales. The company reported Tuesday that its first quarter loss was bigger…

JCP's ads don't square

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

When JCPenney announced its new pricing strategy, I was one of the few who applauded the move. After seeing their ads, I'm not so sure I was right in doing so.

Can Penney's squareness lead to loyalty?

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Being fair and being loyal are not the same thing. But can one engender the other?

On Target

by Phaedra Hise — Senior Editor, COLLOQUY

It will be interesting to see if Target's business falls off or increases in the wake of the recent New York Times coverage of their personalized marketing…

Target may not be 'Wu-ing' shoppers with scarcity tactics

Jason Wu for Target merchandise lands on eBay instead of in shoppers' carts.

JCPenney: A new, well-reasoned approach to retailing

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

CEO Ron Johnson rolled out a new plan for JCPenney that includes:

JCPenney unveils plans for drastic overhaul

January 25, 2012

At an event this morning in New York, J. C. Penney Company Inc. revealed its "plans to become America's favorite store."

Opinion: Why Nordstrom's loyalty program is so effective

Loyalty marketing is, and should always be, much bigger than just points, thresholds or incentives.

The one and only question facing Sears

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Amid the sounds of tearing gift wrap and popping champagne corks, ailing giant Sears Holdings Corp. announced over the holidays its intent to close as many as…