Escalate announces next-gen cross-channel retail platform

December 2, 2009

Escalate Retail has announced the latest version of its cross-channel commerce platform, which unifies processes for multiple retail channels. The tool allows…

Smilebox adds direct-to-store printing at Walmart, Sam's Club

November 22, 2009

Smilebox, a Washington-based company that lets consumers create photos, DVDs and other products from their digital media, announced that its users can now…

JCPenney bringing back Doghouse campaign

November 18, 2009

One of last year's most successful viral retail campaigns is ready for its comeback: JCPenney announced that it is bringing back its "Beware of the Doghouse…

Xsilva to showcase Mac-based POS at NRF

November 16, 2009

Xsilva Systems Inc., maker of LightSpeed, a comprehensive suite of tools for retailers, is set to become the first company to present a Mac-based…

NRF announces top ten retailers for customer service

November 15, 2009

The NRF Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation, has announced the top 10 finalists selected by shoppers in the annual…

E-tail Clinic: BestBuy.com

The electronics retailer's site has properly integrated in-store pickup, but less-than-relevant cross-sell intelligence.

Urban Outfitters adds cross-channel tools from Sterling

November 11, 2009

Sterling Commerce, an AT&T company, today announced that Urban Outfitters Inc. has selected Sterling Order Management and Sterling Managed File Transfer as…

MarketLive Mobile lets retailers build mobile storefronts

November 11, 2009

MarketLive Inc., an e-commerce solutions provider for mid-sized retailers, today unveiled MarketLive Mobile, a mobile commerce application for the MarketLive…

Report: Social media, mobile phones are key retail influencers this year

November 10, 2009

Digital advancements continue to drive a new approach to shopping, with social media and mobile phones emerging as key influencers this holiday season…

Barnes & Noble Nook raises questions about digital-only products

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Technology has made it possible to deliver music, movies, books and more without a physical product. But is that good for shoppers or retailers?

Customers are buying down, and opportunities are rising, part 3

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Customer-centric experience design is explored in this final installment of "Where's the Opportunity?"

Borders announces in-stock guarantee for the holidays

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

November 2, 2009

Borders today announced its new "In-Stock Guarantee," which promises that if a customer's desired item cannot be found in-store, the company will ship it from…

NRF updates 'buyer beware' product list

November 2, 2009

The National Retail Federation has added new products to a consumer alert about common household items being sold through some online auction sites, warning…

Analyst: Retailers, be afraid of e-books

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 26, 2009

Barnes & Noble's recently announced that the $259 Nook e-book reader will undoubtedly drive short-term revenue, but the company may be shooting itself in…

Advance Auto Parts revs up multichannel shopping experience

October 20, 2009

TMC reports that Advance Auto Parts has launched a new commerce solution from IBM and CrossView to connect online and contact center sales channels with retail…

Freakonomics co-author to speak at NRF 2010

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Journalist Stephen Dubner has been added to the roster of "retail's big show," taking place this January in New York.

Wavelink voice-enables Oracle retail apps

October 11, 2009

Wavelink Corp., a member of the Oracle PartnerNetwork, today announced its Wavelink Speakeasy platform can be used to voice-enable Oracle Retail Store…

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.

Customer experience affected most by social media channel

October 4, 2009

Research from Alterian's Engaging Times Summit showed that social media is the biggest factor changing how marketers approach customer engagement. This means…

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.