Opinion: Why customer satisfaction surveys don't work

With 95 percent of our cognitive processing handled by the subconscious, how much value is there in surveys that probe the other five percent?

Best Buy's new laptop sales model includes Internet service, steep discounts

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 26, 2009

Electronics retailer Best Buy has tried a lot of strategies in recent months to stay ahead of its discount competition, everything from expanded Geek Squad…

New Christopher & Banks prototype celebrates 'women of all sizes'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 26, 2009

Minneapolis-based apparel retailer Christopher & Banks announced it will open a new prototype store in Moosic, Penn., and it will be branded with the…

What the Amazon/Zappos deal means for customers

Amazon has acquired Zappos.com in a deal that exceeds $800 million. From the customer's standpoint, is this a marriage made in retail heaven?

Pop-up shops becoming mainstream

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 23, 2009

The Economist has published a brief exploration of the concept of pop-up shops, temporary stores set up by retailers in unexpected locations — from abandoned…

Report: Green retailing is not a fad

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 21, 2009

Green retailing is about more than just building a positive perception; it's a serious cost saver that means more than ever during tough economic times.

Borders adding teen sections, taking real estate away from music/DVD departments

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 21, 2009

Borders, the second largest bookstore chain in the United States, is taking away some floor space from its music and DVD departments in order to build new…

Surprise: Low-income shoppers more willing to pay a premium for sustainability

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 19, 2009

In the prevailing cliché, it is the wealthy among us who care the most about the environment; they are the ones willing to pay a premium for products and…

Mass Connections brings real-time promotional alerts to shoppers

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 16, 2009

Mass Connections, a California-based marketing company, announced in a press release the launch of its "Consumer Alert" program, a framework that allows…

E-tail clinic: The new CircuitCity.com

The electronics retail brand has been revived online by Systemax — so what is it like for customers?

Retailers taking 'Christmas in July' more seriously this year

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 15, 2009

The concept of "Christmas in July" is more than 100 years old, but this year especially it looks like retailers are using the poor economy to suggest to…

Retailers can weather economy by focusing on basics

Trusted brands and an enlarged pool of skilled workers provide leverage.

Safeway online coupon program coming to all stores

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 13, 2009

Drug Store News reports that Safeway is expanding its couponLink program, an interesting and innovative take on online coupons.

Food Lion expanding its Hispanic stores conversion

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 12, 2009

It's been about a year since Food Lion started its experiment with stores aimed at Hispanic shoppers, and it appears to have been a success. The company…

Eight tips for better retail brand messaging

A New York City ad agency lays out a process to ensure retail communications reach their full potential.

J.C. Penney takes Manhattan

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

A staple of Midwestern malls, retailer J.C. Penney is getting ready to open its first store in Manhattan, and it's doing so with an edgier advertising push…

New research dissects what makes a 'wow experience'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

A new survey from The Verde Group and the Retail Council of Canada says that most shoppers — just slightly more than 50 percent — have had a great retail…

Retailers upgrading POS, focusing on its marketing capabilities

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

Aberdeen Group reports that 73 percent of retailers rate themselves as sub-par when it comes to keeping their POS systems up to date technologically. And…

Niemann Foods testing in-store mobile messaging program

July 7, 2009

NORMAL, Ill. — American Digital Signage, a digital out-of-home network and digital signage solutions provider, has announced it was chosen by retail chain and…

Amazon explores private label opportunity

The online giant, like many other retailers, is looking to strike gold with the introduction of a new private label line.