Just in Time for Xmas: Mobile Marketing Tips

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Looks like a good number of shoppers will be phoning it in this holiday season.

More evidence of rewards just for stopping by

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

“Checking in” at a retailer or service provider is getting more valuable than ever, with more companies rewarding customers who do no more than simply walk…

Target Marketing Hits Home With CoupSmart

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Marketers spend a lot of money tracking what we buy so they can tailor promotions to our specific needs. Now, we consumers can take that tracking into our…

Walgreens outlines strategy to analysts

November 4, 2010

Walgreen Co. announced that it will update its strategy to be America's first choice for health and daily living needs, and review the substantial progress in…

MyMacy’s initiative customizes merchandise to boost loyalty

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

I was heartened by a recent Detroit News article that reported on a new Macy's initiative called MyMacy's, which allows managers to customize merchandise in…

Self-Service Store Integration

Self-service technology can enhance the customer experience, but proper integration is pivotal. Learn how smartly deployed technology can unify the shopping…

Cost of Loyalty – For Retailers

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Often times, as I cash in my CVS Extra Bucks or Nordstrom Notes, I wonder how much these loyalty programs cost retailers. For some, I imagine they are a…

Soon-to-be-released SWAGG mobile gift card app adds Crocs

October 20, 2010

Mobile commerce enabler Firethorn Holdings LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., has announced that casual footwear trendsetter Crocs Inc. is the…

Wincor Nixdorf expands BEETLE/Fusion line of POS systems

October 18, 2010

Wincor Nixdorf Inc. today announced that it has expanded its BEETLE/Fusion product line of touch-based point-of-sale systems.

NRF: Economy still a downer; blue skies on the holiday horizon

October 18, 2010

Though Americans are still operating with the recession in the back of their minds and many have fundamentally changed their shopping habits, some findings…

Retail stocks dip after Penney's poison pill

October 17, 2010

According to MarketWatch, retail stocks fell today, led by JCPenney Co., after the midpriced department-store operator adopted a poison pill shareholder rights…

NRF: September sales higher than expected heading into holidays

October 17, 2010

As retailers closed the books on the summer selling season and looked ahead to the all-important holidays, September sales gains were better than expected…

Study: Small business outlook bright; customer demand driving growth

October 17, 2010

In spite of continued concerns over the economy, small businesses' hiring plans are stable compared with the spring, with one in four planning to hire over the…

Yes Virginia, Retail Holiday Sales Will Suck... Again!

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Wherever you look from now until the first week of January, there will be one consistent message: retail holiday sales will suck. That's because the evidence…

Reducing Abandoned Shopping Carts with Live Help

Click-to-chat and click-to-call options can help retailers turn shoppers into buyers.

Groupon, The Nuclear Bomb That Kills Retail?

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

  Think of the last time you received flowers.  Do you remember who gave them to you or the florist? Exactly, the person who gave them to you. The person that…

Who Needs Retail Anyway?

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Social media and networks have diminished our need for middle-men.  From publishing to advertising, brands and consumers have unprecedented access to one…

Shoe-shopping with Friends in 10 Steps or Less

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Think of it as a virtual shopping trip where all your friends can offer their opinions and advice, even though they are not there.

Is that a banana in your couch, or are you just happy I am shopping?

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Supermarkets are wizards at getting us to buy more than we intend. They’ve figured out how to successfully sell diapers to beer customers and pine nuts to…

Nordstrom Integrates Social Media on New Web Site

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Nordstrom's new website is killer. It blends the best of efficiency and design in one site that's easy to use, feels great, and keeps the customer focused on…