Lower Manhattan getting retail makeover

July 30, 2012

Lower Manhattan is developing nearly 1 million square feet of retail space, but many wonder if there are enough shoppers and demand to fill the space…

J.C. Penney opening 'hip' in-store shops

July 25, 2012

As part of the retailer's turnaround strategy, J.C. Penney has opened its first "hip" in-store shop dedicated to giving shoppers a more hands-on experience.

The Hippocratic Oath of customer experience

For thousands of years, physicians have been taking the Hippocratic Oath to "first do no harm." This philosophy is also excellent advice for anyone dealing…

Target going urban

July 23, 2012

Target opens its first urban concept called CityTarget next week in Chicago. The two-story location will feature more checkout lanes, two-shelf shopping…

Small pet retailer still running with the big dogs

The CEO of a small chain of pet boutiques explains how he competes with big-box competitors.

Ace hammering out smaller stores

July 18, 2012

Following the recent retail trend of smaller stores, Ace Hardware has opened about 400 scaled-down locations that take up only 5,000 square feet or less,…

Samsung's new store copying Apple?

July 16, 2012

Best Buy made headlines last week with its new store design modeled after Apple stores; this week, it's Samsung, the Korean company that Apple has already…

Bailey Banks & Biddle revamps in-store, online experience

July 11, 2012

Luxury jeweler Bailey Banks & Biddle is revamping its in-store and online shopping experience by implementing a new design studio, according to a company…

What would happen if all the store signs were removed?

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Ever look around a store and notice all the signs? At least in technology stores you can't miss them. There seems to be a plethora of signs touting the latest…

Five ways to drive customer conversion rates in your stores

Increasing conversion rate is a sales opportunity that many retailers completely overlook.

Best Buy: Another retailer copying Apple

July 6, 2012

Best Buy Co. is hoping to channel a bit of Apple's success by copying its design, according to the The Wall Street journal, which featured a photo of Best…

Apple's Genius Bar getting makeover?

July 2, 2012

Apple is testing a new design of its Genius Bars to try to accommodate more users, according to ifoapplestore.com.

Riding the Marrakesh Express to the roots of retail

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Frank Mayer launches in-store lens demonstrator displays for Transitions Optical

June 20, 2012

Frank Mayer & Associates Inc. has partnered with Transitions Optical, a leading manufacturer of photochromic lenses, to develop a complete line of lens…

Colonial Candle to open 'hands-on' boutique in S.C.

June 15, 2012

Colonial Candle has chosen Charleston, S.C., as the location for its first boutique. The 3,000-square-foot flagship store is the 103-year-old candle company's…

Experts discuss dos and don'ts of rebranding

Defining the target audience is one of the most important steps when developing a rebranding strategy.

To beat showrooming, change the showroom

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Almost every other retail headline is about the growing tide of online sales and the rise of mobile shopping. CEA just forecasted that more shoppers will shop…

U.S. retailers spending the most on remodeling since the recession

June 8, 2012

Retailers might be opening fewer stores, but they're spending money improving their existing locations — more than they've spent on remodels since the…

Big box retailers discovering less is more

June 7, 2012

Big box retailers opening smaller-format stores in urban settings is trendier than ever. Kohl's, for example, in March opened seven stores nearly half the size…

Brazil: Retail lessons from the land of beef

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

While in much of the world economies and retail are still in recovery mode, Brazil is a bull of an economy. Brazil is bold, brazen and the land of where "beef…