Store closings spell big opportunities for the survivors

March 4, 2009

The Associated Press: Retailers left standing amid the carcasses of their competitors are going after orphaned customers. They're using aggressive mailers…

Order online, pickup in-store boosts sales

March 1, 2009

Internet Retailer: As competition for retail sales increases, in-store pickup of online orders is emerging as a more important opportunity for multi-channel…

Discounters snag upscale customers, but do they build loyalty?

Newly frugal shoppers may love the savings at discount stores, but they're not loving the experience.

Research: Mobile retail apps have massive growth potential

A new survey reveals that while most online shoppers have mobile phones, only a fraction have used them while shopping.

Putting your best customers to work for you

The best retailers don't just serve their customers — they put them to work, on behalf of the organization.

Five ways retailers can use Microsoft Tag today

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Redmond's new mobile barcode app offers some incredible flexibility for creative marketing — and it is available and ready to use right now.

Retail architect: Meet the new consumer

February 10, 2009

Jeffrey Hutchison, The Huffington Post: The current financial crisis has ushered in a new retail era which spells the end of shopping as we have known it…

Globalshop 2009: The changing face of in-store marketing

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Next month's event will focus heavily on new trends in fixtures, screens and the store as media marketplace.

Six commandments for retailers to survive

The former executive vice president of Men's Wearhouse shares wisdom needed to make it through the coming months.

Paco Underhill: Retail therapy still alive and well

February 4, 2009

The Boston Globe: They may not be thousands of dollars in debt like the protagonist of "Confessions of a Shopaholic," which hits theaters next week, but…

Wincor World focuses on service, automated checkout

by Tracy Kitten — Editor, AMC

Wincor Nixdorf says its latest innovations are enhancing the shopping experience for both retailers and consumers.

Move over TJX: Heartland data breach may be biggest yet

With literally tens of millions of card transactions at risk, malware found on the server of Heartland Payment Systems may make history.

NRF: Stu Armstrong on in-store digital media

At retail Big Show, the president of the Digital Signage Association delivered 11 reasons to deploy in-store media.

New research reveals the best retail customer experiences of the year

January 19, 2009

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Retail Customer Experience magazine announced the publication of its inaugural Best Retail Customer Experiences report, a comprehensive…

IBM, Sky IT help apparel companies follow consumer buying trends

January 10, 2009

ARMONK, N.Y. — IBM and Sky IT Group are helping fashion and apparel suppliers, like New York-based Theory, to more intelligently take advantage of consumer…

Shoppers willing to pay more for products they can touch

A new study suggests that consumer desire for a product is intensified at the moment of first contact.

Shoe retailer rolling out massive POS upgrade

January 6, 2009

RICHARDSON, Texas — Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. announced today that Genesco Inc., a leading North American shoe and headwear retailer, will upgrade…

Top 10 customer experience resolutions for the New Year

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

January 4, 2009

Bruce Temkin, customer experience blogger and vice president with Forrester Research, has just published his Top 10 resolutions companies should be making in…

Store traffic reporting - are new tools needed?

Commentator Judy Hopelain says retail traffic numbers are conflicting, and possibly part of a "massive undercount."

RFID-based 'magic mirror' coming to UK retail

December 17, 2008

The Future of Things: Paxar Corporation and the Italian "TheBigSpace" design firm have recently announced a collaborative initiative under which the two will…