Circuit City: What went wrong?

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

As the once-great electronics retailer winds down, experts weigh in on what mistakes were made.

Opinion: 12 ways to maximize the customer during a recession

The author of Retail Business Kit for Dummies weighs in with tips on how to get more out of each customer interaction and drive repeat business.

Tough times drive retailers back to basics

The economy is prompting a number of retailers to drop their experimentation with millennial marketing.

Four ways to engage employees while holding down costs

February 11, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS — Organizations are struggling to meet the needs of their customers while holding down costs, which is resulting in salary freezes, discontinued…

Six commandments for retailers to survive

The former executive vice president of Men's Wearhouse shares wisdom needed to make it through the coming months.

Village Pantry revamps employee training system

January 25, 2009

Convenience Store News: Indianapolis-based Village Pantry sought to revamp its on-the-job training with a solution that provided consistent, high-quality…

Study: Retailers should pay more for top-notch workers

January 22, 2009

Innovations Report: As resources become tighter, managers in the retail service sector are searching for ways to be more efficient and one place they should…

NRF exhibitors, part 1: Biz intel, cash and HR

Business intelligence, cash management and human resources solutions from retail's Big Show.

Training customer service staff - with a PSP video game

January 14, 2009

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Hilton Garden Inn today announced the launch of its training program, Ultimate Team Play for PSP. After an intense introductory…

Employee training is no luxury — it's a necessity

January 8, 2009

Kansas.com: Though there is never a good time for an economic downturn, now is especially poor timing. Many companies are already experiencing huge gaps in…

Behind the scenes: A closer look at employee training

January 4, 2009

Engagement, relevance lead to effective training in a melting-pot workforce.

New program helps troubled kids get into retail jobs

December 21, 2008

The Scotsman: Dozens of youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds have been signed up for a new retail academy in Edinburgh to learn how to be shop workers.

Five ways to reduce product returns

When customers return products, look to the source to find out why and put a stop to it.

Lagging economy means fewer seasonal jobs

December 4, 2008

The Virginian-Pilot: As the troubled economy has dragged down sales, many retailers have curtailed hiring for the holiday season, expecting to handle less…

The cautionary lessons of Circuit City

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

A reminder of the importance of great employees.

NRF, Retail Customer Experience announce pavilion partnership

October 14, 2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — NetWorld Alliance, publisher of Retail Customer Experience magazine and RetailCustomerExperience.com, and the National Retail Federation…

Retailers reprogram workers in efficiency push

September 10, 2008

Wall Street Journal: Retailers have a new tool to turn up the heat on their salespeople: computer programs that dictate which employees should work when, and…

iPhone used to hook customers

Innovation must meet standard etiquette and privacy best practices.

Using online game, Best Buy amps employees on new service

September 7, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Ask anyone who works in a big company how many messages they receive from management on a weekly basis. Most likely, you'll hear a weary sigh…

Customer-centric planning

Retailers must look at touchpoints from the shopper's point of view.