NRF: March retail sales disappoint as retailers wrap up first quarter

April 13, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Several months of stronger-than-expected retail sales provided hope that the industry was poised to bounce back, but March retail sales…

Microsoft's Retail Experience Center: It's all about connectedness

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The Redmond giant's retail test lab focuses on connecting all the moving parts of a retail enterprise, right down to the customer level.

New research initiative to measure qualitative effectiveness of in-store marketing

7-Eleven, Ahold, Frito-Lay North America, Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages, Walgreens are among the research participants.

Checkpoint introduces source-to-store merchandise visibility solution

April 7, 2009

THOROFARE, N.J. — Checkpoint Systems Inc., a supplier of shrink management solutions, has announced the release of its Merchandise Visibility Solution, which…

Maritz, Welcome Real-Time announce POS-based marketing and loyalty program

April 6, 2009

ST. LOUIS — Maritz and Welcome Real-Time have announced a partnership to launch a new loyalty solution in the United States and Canada. The offering, Maritz…

BREAKING: Blockbuster may be on its deathbed

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

April 6, 2009

The largest chain of movie and video game rental stores in the world appears to be teetering on the brink of collapse, according to a new filing with the SEC.

What green can mean for a retailer's image

Properly leveraged, green initiatives can make customers feel better about shopping at certain stores.

Michaels, world's largest arts and crafts retailer, redesigns its in-store experience

Consumer insights key to creating prototype with smart space allocation to maximize brand and ROI.

Loyalty programs and brand loyalty

Branded goods, and stores themselves, need to find new ways to engage and connect with shoppers.

The retail power of suggestion

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

A carefully worded farewell can often subliminally impact shoppers into coming back for more.

Kiosk turns wine shoppers into experts

A popular tourist attraction improved customer satisfaction and employee training with an innovative wine-information kiosk

Zain launches 'store of the future' in Bahrain

Wireless service provider's new flagship store is an interactive retail experience.

AT&T opens new Experience Store

March 25, 2009

JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee — AT&T announced a new way to shop for and experience an array of communications and entertainment services with the official…

Circuit City: What went wrong?

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

As the once-great electronics retailer winds down, experts weigh in on what mistakes were made.

The psychology of color at retail

Cultural, demographic differences play crucial roles in color design for the retail environment.

Altierre unveils Retail Technology Center

March 18, 2009

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Altierre Corp., a provider of wireless dynamic pricing solutions for retailers, today unveiled a Retail Technology Center at its company…

Basket-at-once scanning technology exists, but retailers aren't biting

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

RFID-based scanners can massively speed up checkout and cut wait times, but supply chain challenges have prevented adoption.

Opinion: 12 ways to maximize the customer during a recession

The author of Retail Business Kit for Dummies weighs in with tips on how to get more out of each customer interaction and drive repeat business.

Tough times drive retailers back to basics

The economy is prompting a number of retailers to drop their experimentation with millennial marketing.

Virgin Megastore closings mark the end of a retail era

March 15, 2009

Reuters: The planned U.S. closure of the Virgin Megastore chain by mid-June will mark the end of the British music retail invasion. HMV was the first to land…