The Flaming Lips to open pop-up store for one day

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 12, 2009

Avant-garde rock band The Flaming Lips is going into the retail business, for exactly one day.

Amazon UK offering free shipping for the holidays

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 12, 2009

England-based Retail Week reports that Amazon UK is offering free shipping on all orders between now and Jan. 1, 2010.

Steve Jobs helping overhaul Disney Stores

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 12, 2009

It looks like some of the visionary thinking that went into the Apple Stores is being brought to the retail wing of the Magic Kingdom: The New York Times…

ISME: Design of the Times 2009 award winners announced

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

At this week's In-Store Marketing Expo, a panel of 100 experts picked the year's best retail marketing initiatives in 16 categories.

ISME 09: Upstart Play N Trade redesigns its experience, takes aim at GameStop

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Executives from the fastest-growing video game retailer shared details on their store redesign and emphasis on in-store events.

ISME 09: Seven tips for marketing to families during a recession

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

A fundamental shift in consumer spending has led to new rules for marketing to moms, the "Chief Purchasing Officers" of the modern family.

Neiman Marcus gets frugal for the holidays

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 6, 2009

A retailer whose name is perhaps antithetical to the concept of frugality is getting a little bit thriftier with its 83rd annual gift catalog.

Price Checkers and Digital Signage Can Provide Data to Customers

Price checking scanners and digital signage can be integrated to allow retailers to enhance marketing and offer convenience for customers, leading to increased…

Top 10 brand and marketing trends for 2010

A new definition of value, growing consumer expectations among the things brands and retailers will need to watch for.

Report: Store-based retailers see the most potential in mobile

September 30, 2009

RSR Research's latest report, "Online Commerce in 2009: The Model Has Changed — Have Retailers?" finds that store-based retailers see the greatest…

Virgin Mobile woos shoppers with free beer

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 28, 2009

The new Virgin Mobile web site in Australia uses new nomenclature when describing its customers — in fact, they are no longer called customers, but rather…

JC Penney testing mobile coupon program

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 24, 2009

JC Penney has announced that it will support the Cellfire mobile coupon program, which allows shoppers to download and carry coupons on their smart phones. In…

RetailWire Discussion: Brands not connecting with women through social media

A new study finds that three out of four women who engage with brands via social networking sites say they are not influenced to purchase based on what they…

Restoration Hardware attempts to differentiate — by raising prices

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 23, 2009

It's a move that raises eyebrows at any time, much less during a bad economy, but high-end furnishings retailer Restoration Hardware is raising its prices in…

How mobile will reshape the customer experience

Mobile applications for smart phones are poised to be the future of retailer communications with shoppers.

Walmart displays emphasize 'family night'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 13, 2009

Mega-retailer Walmart has already rolled out one recession-driven ad blitz, in which it emphasizes how families can make homemade meals for just a few dollars…

Great customer service: Remembering the little things

Tough times mean retailers need to squeeze all the value they can out of their assets, and that includes the small touches that can make a big difference.

Nielsen: Affluent shoppers more likely to be heavy coupon users

September 8, 2009

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — In today's economy, more U.S. consumers are using coupons when purchasing consumer packaged goods (CPG) items with 1.6 billion coupons…

RetailWire Discussion: Guys join the 'get out of shopping' club

Where does the shopping-averse and fashion-challenged male go for help? One answer is Trunk Club, a new online personal shopping service.

Grass-roots marketing: Retailer mails hand-written thank you notes to shoppers

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 7, 2009

In Palm Springs, Calif., one retailer is going back-to-basics for customer service, reviving the art of the hand-written thank you note.