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.

Making the case for custom point-of-purchase content

A core factor of the retail customer experience is advertising. But how we speak to a potential customer versus a customer at the point of purchase are not the…

Designing a new experience — and putting fun back into retail

Now is a great time to design and launch a new customer experience — especially for brands feeling the pinch of commoditization.

NRF's RAMA and Shop.org announce Retail Innovation and Marketing Conference

August 30, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NRF today announced the creation of the Retail Innovation and Marketing Conference. The inaugural event, March 2-4, 2010 in San Francisco…

Sears re-introducing full-service beauty departments

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

August 30, 2009

Sears got out of the full-service beauty business eight years ago, and now appears to be re-entering it: The company announced in a press release that Sears…

Mobile brain-scanning device tracks, measures shopper emotions

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

August 26, 2009

Retailers and marketers that wish they could get into the minds of their customers are a little bit closer to having that wish fulfilled, thanks to some…

Jeweler draws in shoppers — with a fully stocked bar

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

August 25, 2009

Jeff Weiss and his partners have launched an unusual jewelry store in Albany, N.Y., where the emphasis is on more than just buying gems. The 7,000-square-foot…

Reader Q&A: How do I drive more traffic into the store?

A legendary retailer asks for advice on getting shoppers into the store, and Kate Newlin responds with some practical tips.

Luxury retail at a crossroads

Shattered by heavy discounting, luxury retailers now need to focus on two distinct customer types - those looking for branded items at a lower price, and the…