Going "Beyond" Customer's Expectations

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

On New York's east side, there’s a store with exceptional customer service.  It's not on Madison Avenue. It's not on 5th Avenue. It starts with a “B” but it’s…

Building a Better Bank

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

In the realm of retail shopping, Reluctant Shoppers* are defined by their ability to “put off” shopping as long as possible.  The actual problem might never…

Making Retail Work: What To Say Before They Go Out The Door

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Giving thought to what employees should say as customers leave is something most of us never consider when trying to build sales. I'm reminded of my first…

What's Really Good About HomeGoods

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

Do you find yourself regularly going to HomeGoods?  Just to see what’s there?  You’re not alone; the fans of HomeGoods are numerous and extremely enthusiastic…

If a Brand Falls in the Forest...The Power of Social Listening

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

There’s been an incredible amount of talk over the last few years about social media.  And frankly, most of the talk is about talking.  The truth is that the…

Retailing in the Absence of Recovery

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Each day we wait and wonder when the economy will kick in to a pattern of consistent recovery.  But in order to truly understand the forces at work in this…

New Orleans - The Ultimate Customer Experience?

by William Cusick — President, Customerspectives

I just got back from three days on a business junket of sorts in the Big Easy. I've been to NOLA a few times and the after-effect is always the same: I need…

NRF: Holiday season ends on high note as sales increase 1.1%

January 14, 2010

In the end, retailers got the best Christmas present of all: a holiday season of gains, not losses. After a year that saw holiday sales decrease by 3.…

Retailers tackling 'mountains of data'

January 3, 2010

A new report in the New York Times discusses the "mountains of data and whiz-bang technology" that today's retailers are wrestling with, in their ongoing…

Local book store challenges Internet titans with charity

December 29, 2009

A small book store in Orleans, Mass., is trying a new way to attract business through the Web, says the Cape Cod Times. Don Krohn and Janis Brennan of Main…

Shipping Service Helps Kayak Retailer Reach Global Customers

Size and weight restrictions severely limited Colorado Kayak's ability to sell overseas. Bongo International stepped in, helping to expand Colorado Kayak's…

7 keys to customer experience in 2010

True dedication to the voice of the customer will be pivotal for retailers looking to improve their customer experience in the coming year.

The 5 biggest retail customer experience stories of 2009

Faced with a tough economy and shaky consumer confidence, retailers innovated when it came to customer experience this year.

How consumers killed customer service

Demand for low prices has driven down the value of customer service. Here's how retailers can drive it back up.

Study: Promotional bundles devalue products, reduce long-term profit

December 16, 2009

The best things in life aren't free, especially for companies trying to lure customers by offering sweet deals on two complementary products.

NRF survey: Most consumers are less than halfway done with holiday shopping

December 16, 2009

Though the Christmas countdown is in its final stages, it seems shoppers still have plenty of shopping left to do. According to NRF's 2009 Holiday Consumer…

Holiday shoppers were out last weekend, but stuck to lists

December 15, 2009

AP reports that many holiday shoppers were out last weekend spending money, but many stuck to pre-made lists. Many said they were holding out for bigger…

How mobile is set to impact the 2009 holiday retail season

In what is another challenging holiday season for retailers, mobile marketing and advertising provide a very welcome bright spot.

Blog: In praise of pop-up stores

December 10, 2009

A new blog at the Huffington Post sings the praises of the pop-up store phenomenon.

Cegid to unveil retail management tool at NRF Big Show

December 9, 2009

Software solutions company Cegid announced that it will unveil its latest retail planning, merchandising and store management application at the NRF EXPO…