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…

Nielsen survey: Most people trust online product reviews

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

Notable exceptions notwithstanding — Tuscan Whole Milk, anyone? — it appears that most shoppers trust online product reviews.

HSN transformation a success, so far

July 5, 2009

Multichannel News: It was two years ago this month that HSN CEO Mindy Grossman completed what she hoped would be a transformation of the second-largest home…

Staples Canada to implement live agent assisted selling

July 5, 2009

CHICAGO — ClairVista announced today that Staples Canada, a 300-store division of Staples, Inc., is implementing ClairVista's Live Expert system for its Live…

Urban Outfitters expands mobile marketing efforts

June 29, 2009

GREENBELT, Md. — Urban Outfitters announced it has selected Acuity Mobile as its mobile marketing provider to extend its experience into the mobile world.

CVS testing virtual gift cards

June 28, 2009

Progressive Grocer: CVS/pharmacy last week launched a new e-gift card program that offers its customers the convenience of purchasing personalized gift cards…

Fighting online shopping cart abandonment

While most e-commerce sites measure conversion, many do not take a structured and proactive approach to abandonment.

In-store uses for smartphones

June 25, 2009

ClickZ: In the e-commerce world, we're all figuring out what multichannel applications can be built for this new breed of phone. Amazon and others let you buy…

Supermarkets intensifying online non-food push

June 18, 2009

Retail Week: Supermarkets look likely to steal a further slice of general retailers' sales as both Tesco and Sainsbury's revealed plans to extend their…

Making mobile work for retail marketers

Mall operator General Growth Properties is experimenting with SMS-based communication as a way to build loyalty and drive sales.

Apple receives patent for media distribution kiosk

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Will the wireless-enabled device bring iTunes into retail shops and airports?

Sigma Micro unveils new software suite for multichannel retailers

June 15, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS — Sigma Micro, a software and outsourced e-commerce services provider for direct retailers, announced today the availability of SigmaCommerce 4.4…

Culinary retailer spices up customer experience with Pluris

June 15, 2009

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Pluris Marketing, a provider of marketing solutions, has announced that Sur La Table has chosen Pluris to develop its next-generation…

Five underutilized features of the modern POS

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Today's point-of-sale systems are sophisticated business tools, but many retailers are still using them as glorified cash registers.

RetailWire Discussion: Most loyal customers aren't profitable

A recent Harvard Business Journal article suggests that few customers are profitable — and of the ones that are, most are not loyal.

In-flight merchandising menu might bring shopping to the skies

June 4, 2009

The Denver Post: Air passengers soon could shop, reserve theater and theme-park tickets, and purchase vouchers for taxis and trains — all from their seats.

Victoria's Secret launches mobile site

May 31, 2009

Promo: Mobile is considered a highly personal medium, and intimate apparel retailer Victoria's Secret is raising that intimacy bar with the soft launch of a…

Krillion adds video games to local search index

May 31, 2009

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Krillion has added video games to its enormous local search index. Krillion's real-time product search technology, which already powers…

Unilever testing mobile coupons

May 28, 2009

The Wall Street Journal: Seeking to marry a ubiquitous device with a time-tested marketing technique in a sour economy, Unilever plans to begin a trial run…

Commentary: Online retail over-analyzed, 'stripped of all brand soul'

A brand consultant argues that too much emphasis on search engine optimization has diminished the online shopping experience.