Grabbing shoppers by the nose

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Intentional use of scents can profoundly impact the customer experience.

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…

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…

Elf Yourself visitors skyrocket

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

What value did it actually bring to OfficeMax?

Blog: recession will be helped by 'reproduction mania'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 21, 2008

Heather Strang, blogger for Retail Design Diva, isn't particularly worried about the effect a possible recession would have on retail. No, she says, there are…

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…

Software-as-a-service for in-store digital signage

February 11, 2008

The distribution model is one of the most important aspects to investigate when selecting digital signage software.

Inserts more influential than TV ads

February 11, 2008

BALTIMORE — Vertis Communications announced the tenth anniversary of its proprietary Vertis Customer Focus study, which has been analyzing the key trends…

Online shoppers want user ratings systems

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 11, 2008

Forrester Research recently surveyed 5,000 online shoppers, asking them what they value most from an online experience. The overwhelming majority said they…

More companies realize customer experience will be critical in 2008

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 11, 2008

Forrester Research has just published "Obstacles to Customer Experience Success, 2008," which distills the results of a survey of 287 customer experience…

Borders analyzes efficacy of its email coupon program

February 10, 2008

Stores: Kevin Ertell, vice president of e-business at Borders Group, wanted a clearer understanding of how behavior differed between "coupon seekers" (shoppers…

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…

Putting the 'world' in Wincor World

by Tracy Kitten — Editor, AMC

Steady growth, innovation mark German firm's annual self-service show.

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…

Brand-sponsored events boost purchase intent

January 28, 2008

BrandWeek: A new survey shows in-person events can boost purchase intent by as much as 52 percent. According to the report, released this month by the…

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…

Interactivity 'the future of customer service'

January 22, 2008

Nikki Baird with Retail Systems Research identified three areas of investment that retailers have eyes on for the coming year: cross-channel care, mobility and…

Crossing channels

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

January 22, 2008

Making your online and in-store experiences consistent is more important than ever. Here's how to do it.

NRF 08: emphasis on 'green'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Retail's Big Show saw a major emphasis on the environment.

Ben Stein speaks at NRF

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Actor/economist gives state-of-the-economy address to retailers.