Access does not equal value

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

A professional recently told me that he'd merged his firm with a larger firm. Then he went on to say that he'd sent his clients a letter stating that the fees…

Tanga puts Etsy in its sights with craft site BelleChic

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The daily deal retailer known for its sense of humor is reaching out to handmade goods shoppers with a new online store.

What Facebook's 'Want' button means for retailers

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Facebook is adding a WANT button in addition to other interface changes. Knowing what shoppers want before they buy it is a big deal for everyone.

Price Chopper selects Mercatus Smart Shopping tech

October 3, 2011

Mercatus USA, a software development company delivering cross-channel marketing capabilities to the retail industry, has announced a multi-year deal with Price…

After Missoni, what's next for Target: Obama favorite Jason Wu

October 3, 2011

With the last of the Missoni for Target products making their way off store shelves, the retailer has announced its next big-name fashion lure: Jason Wu.

A lesson in customer service

by Jim Joseph — President, Lippe Taylor

I just got a text the other day that many of us hope never happens: the guy who has cut my hair for years is leaving the salon. Oh no!

The 2011 holiday outlook for specialty stores

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

With Black Friday less than two months away, it's time to take a look at this year's holiday predictions. Here are some recent headlines about the upcoming…

How data-driven creative is transforming the customer-retailer relationship

Data-driven insights are creating a new language for retailers and marketers to deliver personalization.

Gilbarco gas pumps to greet customers by name, offer personalized promotions

September 28, 2011

Convenience store cashiers may not remember their customers by name or recall their favorite soft drinks, but fuel dispensers soon will — thanks to the…

The six incorrect reports you will hear about holiday retail – again

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Fruitcakes aren't the only things that reappear, stale, each holiday season.

You should stop issuing coupons. Here's why.

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

Megan McArdle, in her May 11, 2011 article, "Discriminatory Pricing," in The Atlantic, suggests that coupons are simply a way to distinguish between markets…

Best Buy announces its plans for 2011 holiday season

September 27, 2011

Best Buy has launched its holiday season by announcing a collection of offers that delivers what people say they want most from a retailer: competitively…

NRF: 161 million people plan on celebrating Halloween, highest in survey's 10-year history

September 27, 2011

Ghouls and goblins galore, Halloween celebrations will be "BOOming" this year as more people than ever are expected to partake in traditional festivities.

Deloitte forecasts a 2.5 to 3 percent increase in holiday sales

September 25, 2011

Although the slow U.S. economic recovery and uncertainty overseas are sending shivers through consumers this fall, retailers should expect small gains in 201…

Meet Marina, the doll behind Target's Missoni launch

In preparing for the highly anticipated Missoni for Target launch, the retailer "hired" a rather curious brand advocate.

NRF launches campaign to push jobs, innovation and consumer value agenda

September 21, 2011

With the 2012 election season around the corner, the National Retail Federation has launched a first-of-its-kind major year-long advocacy campaign to advance a…

Hey IKEA, this isn't sexist at all! Just kidding, it totally is.

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Had to double-check that I wasn't reading a story from The Onion at first, but no, I was on Adweek: An Australian IKEA location is testing Mänland, complete…

CustomInk fuels revenue growth by putting uncensored customer reviews on their home page

by Jeanne Bliss — Founder, CustomerBliss

In this era of social media, companies who embrace customer feedback and "believe" the words of their customers earn the right to growth. They realize that…

Lessons learned from Apple: Great customer experiences learn continuously

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Any brand that becomes good does so, in part, because it knows how to learn. Any brand that becomes great has developed the ability to keep on learning. Apple…

Holiday 2011: Study predicts more retail sales, fewer in-store shoppers

September 20, 2011

Despite the struggling economy and high unemployment rates, consumers plan to stuff their holiday stockings a little fuller this year.