Great customer service: Remembering the little things

Tough times mean retailers need to squeeze all the value they can out of their assets, and that includes the small touches that can make a big difference.

A&P to split its brand into four store types

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 10, 2009

In an interview with New Jersey Business News, A&P chief executive Eric Claus outlined his company's plan to launch four distinct store types, each aimed…

Nielsen: Affluent shoppers more likely to be heavy coupon users

September 8, 2009

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — In today's economy, more U.S. consumers are using coupons when purchasing consumer packaged goods (CPG) items with 1.6 billion coupons…

Walmart's 'Project Impact' shoots for cleaner stores, better customer service

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 8, 2009

Time is reporting on the real-world impact of Walmart's "Project Impact," a makeover initiative that sees the retailer focusing on cleaner store environments…

Making the case for custom point-of-purchase content

A core factor of the retail customer experience is advertising. But how we speak to a potential customer versus a customer at the point of purchase are not the…

Designing a new experience — and putting fun back into retail

Now is a great time to design and launch a new customer experience — especially for brands feeling the pinch of commoditization.

Supermarket woos shoppers with valet parking

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

August 27, 2009

There's a fierce battle for customers raging between three Staten Island supermarkets, and that battle just got a little more interesting: ShopRite has started…

Meijer to test online ordering, in-store pick-up

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

August 27, 2009

Internet Retailer reports that supermarket chain Meijer is about to launch its Grocery Express program, which will let customers place orders online, then head…

Blockbuster Express kiosks coming to New England grocery chain

August 26, 2009

NCR Corp. has announced the chain-wide deployment of its Blockbuster Express DVD-rental kiosks in Big Y grocery stores throughout Massachusetts and…

Pan-Oston releases new Utopia self-checkout model

August 25, 2009

Bowling Green, Ky.-based Pan-Oston has introduced the newest model in its Utopia line of self-checkout products.   According to a news release from Pan-Oston…

Discounting while preserving the brand

Why retailers need to focus on intelligent promotions, rather than across-the-board discounts.

Customers still want organic, but are skeptical of claims

August 20, 2009

HARRISBURG, Pa. — When it comes to all natural and organic foods, today's consumers are wiser to the differences than most marketers might think and eager to…

Sam's Club installs coupon kiosks in 600 stores

August 19, 2009

Warehouse club retailer Sam's Club has installed kiosks in more than 600 of its stores nationwide as part of its eValues program, a paperless coupons and…

Thinking beyond traditional retail packaging

How retailers are mixing packaging with interactive technology to connect with consumers.

Walmart emphasizing 'endcaps on steroids'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

August 11, 2009

Retailers are reclaiming their endcaps, traditionally used by brands to merchandise their products in thematic fashion. Recent months have seen a greater…

Why good customer service is like billiards

Retail Doc Bob Phibbs explains why customer service staff need to scatter around the customer, like pool balls reacting to the cue.

Study: Customers want simpler, easier-to-understand food labeling

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

August 4, 2009

Progressive Grocer reports on a new survey from Guiding Stars Licensing Co., which suggests that grocery shoppers are getting fed up with arcane, hard-to-read…

How to catch male shoppers: Market to women

The men's grooming market is set to explode, and retailers can reach it more directly by marketing to women.

Coinstar continues '09 march with Kroger deal

August 2, 2009

Despite this year's challenging economic environment, Coinstar Inc. has had a monumental 2009, so far. In the past two months, the company has announced the…

NCR self-checkout wins IDEA award

July 30, 2009

NCR Corp. announced its SelfServ Checkout solution has won a bronze award in the 2009 International Design Excellence Awards, or IDEA, competition. According…