Sears, Meijer test drive-through shops

March 30, 2010

It's an ultra-convenient concept that works for quick-service restaurants and oil change parlors, so why not retail? The Chicago Tribune reports that retailers…

GlobalShop 2010 roundup

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

This year's GlobalShop event in Las Vegas was well-attended, well-staffed and full of great insights. Here's a quick recap of some of the stories we brought…

Target selects DemandTec for assortment optimization

March 23, 2010

DemandTec Inc., a provider of on-demand optimization solutions for retailers and consumer products manufacturers, has announced that Target Corp., the…

GlobalShop: Walmart on the return of retail architecture

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Walmart's architectural manager explains how new store designs can combat the "not in my back yard" effect.

Interbrand Design Forum ranks most valuable U.S. retail brands

March 10, 2010

Retail brand consultants Interbrand Design Forum today released the Most Valuable U.S. Retail Brands report, the second ranking of the top 50 retail brands.

Report: Customer satisfaction strong in 4Q 2009

February 15, 2010

Customer satisfaction with the goods and services that Americans buy remains strong in the fourth quarter of 2009, according to the American Customer…

Mobile Monday: Macy's iShop

Macy's leaves the Web site format behind with an app that lets shoppers browse inventory in the manner they choose.

Target mobile tech converts gift cards to virtual barcodes

February 7, 2010

Target guests no longer need to carry their Target GiftCards in order to redeem them, thanks to the Target Mobile GiftCard.

Sears goes above and beyond for police widow

Old-fashioned customer service values are on display in Pennsylvania, where the retailer is coming to the aid of the wife of a fallen officer.

Sears goes above and beyond for police widow

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Old-fashioned customer service values are on display in Pennsylvania, where the retailer is coming to the aid of the wife of a fallen officer.

Macy's will open Bloomingdale's Outlet stores

January 21, 2010

Macy's announced in a press release that it will launch a new store concept this year called Bloomingdale's Outlet. Four of stores are planned for 2010, each…

Target remodeling stores, adding TV delivery service

January 20, 2010

Big changes are afoot at Target, including an announced budget of $1 billion to renovate 340 stores this year. According to MarketWatch, the retailer is also…

British retailer offering 'divorce registry'

January 17, 2010

U.K. retailer Debenhams is offering a new twist on the traditional gift registry. It recently added divorce registries to its stores, according to a report…

Macy's adds features to online gift registry

January 17, 2010

Macy's has announced enhancements planned for its online Wedding & Gift Registry, beginning Feb. 1.

Marks & Spencer selects Quantum Retail for inventory management

January 4, 2010

Marks and Spencer Group Plc (M&S) has chosen Quantum Retail's software solution, Q, to manage the end-to-end inventory forecasting, replenishment and…

Target takes on warehouse clubs

January 4, 2010

Over the weekend, Target stores launched a new seven-week marketing blitz called "The Great Save," which aims to position Target as a sort of hybrid of its…

Retailers tackling 'mountains of data'

January 3, 2010

A new report in the New York Times discusses the "mountains of data and whiz-bang technology" that today's retailers are wrestling with, in their ongoing…

7 keys to customer experience in 2010

True dedication to the voice of the customer will be pivotal for retailers looking to improve their customer experience in the coming year.

The 5 biggest retail customer experience stories of 2009

Faced with a tough economy and shaky consumer confidence, retailers innovated when it came to customer experience this year.

How consumers killed customer service

Demand for low prices has driven down the value of customer service. Here's how retailers can drive it back up.