Five ways digital marketing can improve loyalty programs

In too many cases, new digital channels and a retailer's loyalty program are disconnected.

Geo-fencing makes targeted text offers possible

December 4, 2011

Consumers who visit any of the 27 open-air malls owned by DDR, a commercial real estate company, can receive text messages offering deals from the retailers in…

Location-based marketing may increase in-store traffic

December 4, 2011

Foot traffic on the UK's high streets has seen its sharpest drop since last December's snow, falling 2.3 percent compared to the same period last year…

Price-matching guarantees

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

Target's third quarter profits are up 3.7 percent according to Andria Cheng in her MarketWatch article, Target profit rises better-than-expected, in the Wall…

Black Friday to Cyber Monday: How low can the extreme shopping go?

by Jeff Weidauer — Vice President, Marketing & Strategy, Vestcom International, Inc.

Just about every news story this Monday morning contained statistics relating to the health—or lack thereof—of the economy based on how much we shopped over…

Wanted: Impulse-buy killer

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

I entered my favorite office supply store looking for paper for my inkjet printer. As good fortune would have it they had it on sale — buy 2 reams get 1 free.

Best Buys are after five in Fox Point

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Disenchanted employees of Target, Best Buy and other retailers who are facing the prospect of working Thanksgiving evening — and we mean all evening — should…

Barneys New York going 'Gaga'

November 21, 2011

Barneys New York has opened its GAGA'S WORKSHOP, a take on Santa's workshop that includes a transformed retail environment, holiday windows, a Gaga interactive…

Retailers planning extended Cyber Monday, holiday promotions

November 20, 2011

As online shopping continues to reach unprecedented levels, retailers plan to emphasize value and savings to their shoppers all holiday season long. According…

Some thoughts on Black Friday

by Jim Joseph — President, Lippe Taylor

In case you haven't noticed all the pre-hype, Black Friday is coming soon to a retailer near you.

NRF: Up to 152 million shoppers expected on Black Friday weekend

November 16, 2011

Though there are already plenty of great deals on everything from e-readers and smartphones to apparel and toys, Americans know there is only one Black Friday…

Why is lululemon athletica quoting Ayn Rand?

by James Bickers

The yoga retailer's blog and shopping bags have recently extolled the "Bible of the Tea Party."

Unintentional branding

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

When we think of branding we tend to think of very large companies with hundreds of millions of dollars to spend on branding.

Survey: Consumers trying more fashion retailers in 2011

Thirty-two percent tried a new fashion retailer in the past 90 days, up from 14 percent in 2010.

NRF: Consumer spending on discretionary categories boosts October retail sales

November 14, 2011

Led by discretionary purchases, October retail sales saw impressive growth across the board, an encouraging sign for retailers as the holiday season gets…

What every company should take from Barnes & Noble: a page from their corporate playbook

by Aaron Shapiro — CEO, HUGE

Time and time again we've seen the same story play out: An established industry player ignores digital and ends up in a fight for survival against a brash…

Survey: Grocery shoppers maintain or increase spending, look for more value, service

Consumer spending on groceries has increased in the past three months, but consumers are expecting more from their stores.

Regifting the ghost of Christmas past

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

For most of us, holiday gifts can haunt us like the ghosts of Christmas past. From nose-hair clippers to maternity bras, we've each been given an…

U.S. households plan to spend an average of $497 this holiday season

November 8, 2011

U.S. households are expected to spend an average of $497 on gifts this holiday season, The Conference Board reports today. Only 7 percent of consumers said…

Gap mobile coupon program now to include Banana Republic, Old Navy brands

November 8, 2011

Retailer Gap Inc. said it will be expanding its Gap Mobile4U program to include its other brands Banana Republic (BR mobile 4U) and Old Navy (Old Navy 4U).