Marks and Spencer saves money with supply-base refocusing

December 19, 2007

A.T. Kearney worked with Marks and Spencer and their leading suppliers to deliver cost savings from supply-base re-focusing, joint retailer/supplier process…

New retail trend: 'park-your-husband lounges'

December 19, 2007

Forbes: When men accompany their ladies on a shopping trip, the last thing stores — and women — want is a nagging, bored husband. After all, the more time…

Breaking the rules of retail

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

December 19, 2007

Charging a fee for customer service? Asking shoppers to make an appointment for help? These might be the kiss of death for most retailers, but not Apple.

Survey: customer service trumps price

December 18, 2007

A recent benchmark survey on "The State of Retail Workforce Management," conducted by Retail Systems Research (RSR), and sponsored by Kronos Inc., indicates…

POPAI research: digital window signage increases footfall

December 18, 2007

Research commissioned by 3M and POPAI demonstrates the effectiveness of back-projecting dynamic promotional messages onto shop windows.

More gift cards going unredeemed

December 17, 2007

A Consumer Reports survey conducted in October found that among people who received a gift card during the 2006 holiday season, 27 percent of them left one or…

Customer satisfaction takes first dip in two years

December 17, 2007

Customer satisfaction is down for the first time since early 2005, according to the third quarter report of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

CBGB space going retail

December 16, 2007

It was home to a vibrant and influential music scene for the better part of three decades, but the space that was home to New York's CBGB nightclub is being…

Where clothing stores really fail: the dressing room

December 16, 2007

Retail consultancy Adaptive Path recently used its blog to tear into the clothes-buying process. The main culprit: dressing rooms that don't make the shopper…

Stop & Shop offers language assistance to pharmacy customers

December 16, 2007

Boston Herald: Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. is giving some translation assistance to its pharmacy customers who speak little or no English. The supermarket…

Let your customers break (fresh) bread

December 13, 2007

If Ron Wilkinson has his way, consumers are about to acquire a taste for very, very fresh bread. His Bread Bakery, a 7-foot-tall, 4-foot-wide machine, churns…

The planning puzzle

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

For technology, intelligent planning makes all the difference.

Coinstar, redbox take aim at c-stores

December 11, 2007

ATLANTA — No longer content to place DVD-rental kiosks solely in McDonald's restaurants and grocery stores, Coinstar and redbox announced plans to deploy…

Snag shoppers with self-service

Self-service is a key part of any smart multi-channel strategy.

Nike opens first NikeID Studio

December 10, 2007

Nike recently opened its first "NikeID Studio" in London, following similar installations in New York City, Paris and Osaka. The concept connects the in-store…

GameStop opens 'tournament center'

December 10, 2007

The Escapist: GameStop has announced the opening of its first combined store and "tournament center" in San Jose, Calif. The location is 4,000 square feet in…

The psychology of digital signage

by David Drain

A neuroscientist analyzes the effects digital signage has on the brain.

Tapping the POS to test content

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

POS data can provide insight into how well in-store media is working.

Kiosks take over c-stores

Popular self-service devices to move in on convenience stores in 2008.

Optical boutique turns heads — literally

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Eyewear provider uses creative digital signage to catch the customer's eye.