The seven reasons independent retailers go broke

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

When I was first starting my retail consultancy business back in the 90?s, independent retailers dreaded the arrival of retail super chains like Walmart in…

To send or not to send that email? Here is the answer.

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

When it comes to consumer tolerance, there is a very fine line between email acceptance and inbox madness. At what point do your digital communications cross…

NRF: Shoppers will spend more than ever for Father's Day this year

June 6, 2012

Dads' loved ones will heed the call of those shiny new golf clubs and hot new electronic gadgets this year, according to NRF's latest survey that found that…

J.C. Penney bringing sales back

June 6, 2012

After seeing a sharp decline in its sales, J.C. Penney Co. Inc. has decided that "sale" is no longer a bad four-letter word.

Coinstar's coffee kiosks have a name -- Rubi

June 5, 2012

It's official: Coinstar coffee kiosks are coming to market. It's not exactly news, considering the company previously discussed the business venture with us…

Buyers behave irrationally

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

Ruti Levy, in her Haaretz.com article "Building blocks of high prices," cited the fact that Israelis are paying 3 to 3.5 times what they would online for…

Survey: Big box retailers are earning visits on price, but losing customers on experience

June 5, 2012

Empathica Inc., a provider of customer experience management solutions, has announced that its Consumer Insights Panel survey of more than 6,500 U.S. consumers…

NYC Reebok deploys photo kiosks for hockey fans

June 5, 2012

National Hockey League fans shopping in New York City's Reebok store now have access to photo booth kiosks from TouchTunes Interactive Networks, an interactive…

Mobile check-in kiosks to drive store sales

May 31, 2012

Software designer Solekai Systems has partnered with a mobile solutions start-up called Raging Mobile to develop a prototype for a mobile phone check-in kiosk…

You had me at hello, but: What neuromarketing and Big Data miss

I'm a geek. I love big data and ferreting out patterns. Nothing fascinates me more than the burgeoning field of neuromarketing.

NRF announces winners of 'This is Retail' (videos)

Nearly 1 million votes were cast during the contest.

Can pricing build trust?

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

As business owners, we instinctively know that trust is essential to our success. The day we lose our customers trust is the day we lose their business. Game…

Retail catalogs surviving the Internet Age

May 29, 2012

Many may think that the catalog is on its way out as online spending continues to increase, but in fact, the opposite is true.

Staying on your customer's friends list

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

Many of us strive to be No. 1, but when it comes to social circles, the first task is to make it into the 150.

Solar powered QR codes help Korean retailer increase sales

May 25, 2012

Korean discount retailer Emart recently placed 3D QR code sculptures throughout Seoul that could only be scanned between noon and 1 p.m., which are slow…

Commentary: Building a proximity marketing strategy that protects customers

Consumers are wary, rightly so, of any attempt to use their personal information to gather data and sell products.

The spectacular marketing fail of JC Penney

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Ron Johnson, Penney's CEO, said last week that "coupons were a drug."

Target kickin' it with Shopkick

May 24, 2012

Target has partnered with shopkick, an app that allows consumers to earn points for shopping (at participating stores) that can then be redeemed for a variety…

Government-controlled pricing

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

A May 7, 2012 article in the Bankgok Post, "The price of ignorance can be high," highlights the folly of government interference in pricing. Why are…

Brick-and-mortar retailers fighting back

May 22, 2012

Brick-and-mortar retailers hoping to compete with mobile devices, the Internet and daily deals are getting creative when it comes to in-store offers, according…