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).

Old Navy joins location-based shopping app shopkick

November 8, 2011

Today shopkick, the location-based shopping app that rewards shoppers for walking into stores, announced Old Navy has joined its Partner Alliance. According to…

Survey: Retailer digital marketing spending to increase across all channels in 2012

November 7, 2011

While traditional digital channels such as search and email continue to dominate retailer marketing spending, social and mobile channels are growing in…

Young America short-term rewards result in 10 percent sales lift

November 7, 2011

Loyalty programs that are structured like promotions may generate significant short-term sales lift, according to Young America, an incentive marketing firm.

Big Y selects AisleBuyer mobile shopping platform

November 7, 2011

Big Y Foods, Inc. and AisleBuyer LLC have announced a partnership to provide Big Y's customers with a mobile application for iPhone and Android devices that…

Report: Mobile device retail traffic will more than double this November

Fifteen percent of people logging onto a retailer's Web site are expected to do so through a mobile device.