Stop blabbing about innovation and start actually doing it

by Aaron Shapiro — CEO, HUGE

These days, every established company is at risk of having its industry — and its own business — disrupted by a startup. Cognizant of this, companies devote a…

Roundup: How to deliver 'knock your socks off' customer service

Enjoy these excerpts from the customer service classic that recently turned 20.

For retail, honesty is the only policy

Misleading customers leads to far worse problems than telling them something unpleasant they need to hear right now.

Are independent hardware stores ready for a comeback?

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Do you remember being at a bowling alley or supermarket and seeing the old claw game? The one where you navigate the joystick in hopes of manipulating the claw…

Why timeliness and responsiveness are crucial for retail

The best time for anything is the time that is best for the customer.

Follow-up for success

by Doug Fleener — President and Managing Partner, Dynamic Experiences Group, LLC

A few years ago I presented a seminar to around one hundred retailers. These people run stores whose products have a fairly high price point; they often offer…

Nine tips for effective and consistent employee follow-up

by Peggy Carlaw — VP, Impact Learning Systems

Reinforcement is key.

Why you should never ask customers how much they're looking to spend

by Harry Friedman

You go shopping. You're looking for a gift. A salesperson, trying to deter­mine what merchandise to show you, asks, "How much do you want to spend?" You say…

The fundamentals of employee feedback

by Peggy Carlaw — VP, Impact Learning Systems

Giving feedback to your employees is one of the most important things you can do for each of them individually, and your team as a whole. Oftentimes, managers…

Speakers, agenda announced for Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit

The third annual event is set to convene at Hotel Sax in Chicago on August 6-8, 2012.

How to spot a winner

by Harvey Mackay — Author, Mackay Mitchell

Vietnam is wars ago on the American landscape. Nobody associates it with winning, yet it offered one of the best and most perceptive stories about winning I've…

Teenagers have changed: Here's what it will take for them to succeed in retail

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

In the Wall Street Journal article, "What's Wrong With the Teenage Mind?" Alison Gopnik takes an in-depth look at two trends affecting the maturation of…

Study: Retailers must engage employees to please shoppers

February 22, 2012

Employee engagement in the U.S. retail sector has sunk to its lowest levels since 2009, according to a new study claiming that employee engagement is directly…

Good selling is good service; Good service is good selling

Sales and service are not separate functions. They are two sides of the same coin.

For retailers, too many choices leads to 'just looking'

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

I was intrigued by an article in the Los Angeles Times entitled "Too Many Choices Can Tax the Brain Research Shows." It said in part, "Americans have come to…

Four tips for exceeding your customer's expectations

by Doug Fleener — President and Managing Partner, Dynamic Experiences Group, LLC

When we exceed a customer's expectation he/she is more likely to make a purchase, become a repeat customer, and tell others about their great experience in our…

NRF12: Using mobile technology to reach teen employees

Aeropostale implemented mobile apps to help manage and communicate with employees.

Self-service, online options driving customers to avoid salespeople

January 11, 2012

It's no big shock that many shoppers don't like to be continually asked if they need assistance from store associates, but an article in today's NY Times…

So you aren't Johnny Depp ...

by Harvey Mackay — Author, Mackay Mitchell

Do you lack the dazzle of Angelina Jolie's lagoon-blue eyes or the regal command of Meryl Streep's screen poise? Come up short on George Clooney's suave or…

What are your 2012 retail resolutions?

by Doug Fleener — President and Managing Partner, Dynamic Experiences Group, LLC

I know how busy you have likely been for the last few weeks, so I've taken the liberty of putting together some potential resolutions for you and your team in…