Microsoft's retail stores will be 'right next door' to Apple's

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 15, 2009

Buzz for branded Microsoft stores has been building since February, when the company first announced its formal intentions to open its own brick-and-mortar…

Higher-income shoppers embracing rent-to-own stores

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 12, 2009

Here's a surprising consequence of the faltering economy: The rent-to-own segment is performing very well, bringing in new customers that likely would have…

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…

Apple exploring 'active packaging' for electronic products

July 1, 2009

Apple Insider: Known for thinking outside the box, electronics maker Apple Inc. is now apparently working on an in-the-box concept that could provide power to…

Despite economy, largest retailers remain power players

June 30, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In spite of economic uncertainties, many of the nation's largest retailers held onto their coveted spots at the top of the retail ladder…

What recession? Retailers still spending on store maintenance, upgrades

June 28, 2009

Building Design & Construction: Not all is bleak on the retail construction scene. Though most retailers have scaled back their new store development plans…

Blog: Apple's magical retail experience in its global stores

June 22, 2009

Information Week: A professional investor who's used PCs for 20 years relates the superb retail experience he had at the Apple Store in Tokyo, and emphasizes…

Best Buy exec: We're testing video game trade-in kiosks

June 22, 2009

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In an entry posted today on his blog, BarryJudge.com, Best Buy's chief marketing officer announced a test of video game trade-in kiosks in…

Red Book reveals latest version of store execution management tool

June 16, 2009

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Red Book Solutions today revealed the latest version of Source-2-Source, a solution focused solely on store-level task completion. Paired…

Best Buy announces new stores with interactive displays

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

June 9, 2009

Best Buy announced 13 new store openings for its second fiscal quarter, the first of which opens in Alaska this Saturday.

NRF: Tough economy will mean more of the same for Dad

June 1, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to the National Retail Federation's 2009 Father's Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, Americans…

Systemax relaunching CircuitCity.com

May 20, 2009

This Week In Consumer Electronics: Systemax plans to relaunch CircuitCity.com within the next two days, according to an announcement on the bankrupt retailer's…

Walmart revamps electronics department

May 18, 2009

Wall Street Journal: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is revamping the electronics departments in its more than 3,500 U.S. stores this week, ramping up an aggressive…

Altierre releases high-contrast displays for shelf-level digital signage

May 11, 2009

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Altierre Corp., a provider of digital signage and wireless dynamic pricing solutions for retailers, announced it has achieved a significant…

Systemax wins Circuit City e-commerce business

May 11, 2009

Reuters: Consumer electronics seller Systemax has won a bankruptcy auction for the e-commerce business and intellectual property of Circuit City Stores Inc.…

Avery Dennison announces mobile merchandising tool

May 10, 2009

PASADENA — Avery Dennison Corp. and Scanbuy Inc. have joined forces to produce a new mobile-merchandising solution that uses camera phone technology to enhance…

Sensormatic lets retailers openly, safely display high-theft items

May 5, 2009

SINGAPORE — ADT announced today a comprehensive new line of Sensormatic safers with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) capabilities. Also known as…

Oracle introduces Oracle Retail Data Model

April 26, 2009

REDWOOD SHORES, Calif. — To help retailers accelerate their design and implementation of an enterprise data warehouse, Oracle today introduced the Oracle…

Mother's Day spending dips, but 'moms will understand'

April 15, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It's not easy having the hardest job in the world, but mom will likely understand the reasoning behind smaller, less expensive gifts for…