Move over Netflix, Toys 'R' Us is now streaming movies

October 8, 2012

Toys 'R' Us Inc. announced last week that it has opened a new digital entertainment service called Toys 'R' Us Movies. The online store includes 4,000 titles…

Outlet malls got a boost when the economy went bust

October 2, 2012

Outlet stores can thank the tough economy for a reinvigorated consumer base. According to an article on DailyFinance.com, outlets and factory stores are no…

Axiom's secret sauce for customer experience in Dubai

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Last stop on my around the world tour of retail was Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. In a land of perpetual heat, it is easy to understand why consumers…

Nike's Chicago flagship reopens

October 2, 2012

Last week, Nike re-opened its Chicago flagship store after remodeling and expanding the retail space, according to an article on ballerstatus.com.

Saudi Arabian IKEA catalog removes women from its pages

October 1, 2012

Apparently women in Saudi Arabia stay away from IKEA stores — or at least they do in the Saudi version of the store's catalog.

Victoria's Secret opens new store at unlikely venue

October 1, 2012

Tonight's Monday night football game at the Dallas Cowboys' $1.2 billion stadium will offer attendees a chance to drink some beer, eat a few hotdogs and pick…

Build-A-Bear targets tech savvy kids with updated stores

September 27, 2012

Build-A-Bear Workshop stores will try to capture more technologically adept young shoppers with new store formulas that increase interactivity, according to an…

Total Wine announces plans to expand social media marketing

September 26, 2012

Total Wine & More, an independent retailer of wine, beer and spirits, announced a partnership with Dialogue Marketing to help support its social media…

Three examples of radical differentiation at Lululemon

The popular yoga retailer 'zigs when everybody else zags.'

Tailored store layout boosts sales at bedding retailer

September 18, 2012

The retail store Benson for Beds joined with John Evans Interior Architecture and Design to create a new concept store, focusing on layout and displays that…

The Walmart whale is making waves in South Africa retail

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

It is one thing to read about international retailing, but quite another to experience it firsthand. I've visited South Africa several times on safaris, but…

Back-to-school shoppers boost August sales, slightly

September 14, 2012

According to recent calculations from the National Retail Federation, August retail sales had a boost from back-to-school shoppers.

Toys R Us enters children's tablet market in time for holiday season

September 11, 2012

Toys R Us announced plans for next month's release of the company's own children's tablet computer, according to an article on WashingtonPost.com. 

Samsung's stores missing a page from Apple's playbook

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

My grueling travel schedule does not permit me to get out and see retail stores in Seoul. But since South Korea is the home of Samsung, I thought it would be…

Pop-up retail grows up

by Natalie Gagliordi — Editor of KioskMarketplace.com, Networld Media Group

Like food trucks before them, are retail trucks the next hot consumer trend?

Coachella Valley store to open doors for pop-up retailers

September 4, 2012

Retailers in California's Coachella Valley will have the opportunity to test their concepts in a new pop-up "incubator," according to an article on…

Around the world in 30 days, 7 retail stops along the way

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

I'm convinced that you don't plan an around the world trip ... they just happen. I get an amazing opportunity to deliver IMS Retail University workshops around…

'What Would Tommy Do?' The straightforward question that defines the brand strategy at Tommy Bahama

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

Defining a brand strategy that is differentiated, sustainable, and successful long-term is critical to retailer success. Tommy Bahama, a lifestyle company that…

RCE Podcast episode 9: Inside the leaked Apple Genius training manual

An alarming new report suggests that a large number of shoppers would leave a bricks-and-mortar store and place an order online instead, if they stood to save…

Carmine Gallo on the five secrets revealed in the Apple Genius manual

The leaked training manual gives exclusive insight into how Apple succeeds at employee training and customer service.