Private label: The prestige brands of tomorrow?

Retail expert and author Kate Newlin says the only odd thing about private label brands is that they've taken so long to win shoppers over.

Tesco accused of misleading ads

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 28, 2009

The U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority has a problem with recent ads from mega-retailer Tesco, which claim lower basket prices than competitor Asda.

Opinion: Why customer satisfaction surveys don't work

With 95 percent of our cognitive processing handled by the subconscious, how much value is there in surveys that probe the other five percent?

Self-checkout and alcohol: A dangerous mix?

New research about minors, alcohol and self-checkout may prompt legislation in California.

Cub Foods adding color-coded nutrition info program

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 15, 2009

Cub Foods, a part of the Supervalu family of grocery stores, is implementing a new program designed to make it easier for shoppers to make intelligent choices…

StoreNext to offer the LaneHawk shrink-prevention system

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 14, 2009

StoreNext Retail Technologies, a division of Retalix, announced that it will distribute the LaneHawk bottom-of-basket scanning system. The company will offer…

Retailers can weather economy by focusing on basics

Trusted brands and an enlarged pool of skilled workers provide leverage.

Safeway online coupon program coming to all stores

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 13, 2009

Drug Store News reports that Safeway is expanding its couponLink program, an interesting and innovative take on online coupons.

Food Lion expanding its Hispanic stores conversion

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 12, 2009

It's been about a year since Food Lion started its experiment with stores aimed at Hispanic shoppers, and it appears to have been a success. The company…

Whole Foods named 'most humane grocer'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 9, 2009

For many consumers, the recession has changed the criteria they use to select products: Fair-trade coffee and free-range chicken can quickly move from the…

Eight tips for better retail brand messaging

A New York City ad agency lays out a process to ensure retail communications reach their full potential.

New research dissects what makes a 'wow experience'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

A new survey from The Verde Group and the Retail Council of Canada says that most shoppers — just slightly more than 50 percent — have had a great retail…

Retailers upgrading POS, focusing on its marketing capabilities

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

Aberdeen Group reports that 73 percent of retailers rate themselves as sub-par when it comes to keeping their POS systems up to date technologically. And…

Customers abandon food, household brands, but stay loyal to child and pet care products

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

Marketing company Epsilon just released the results of its recent survey of 1,500 shoppers, exploring which types of products the newly frugal are abandoning…

Opinion: Retailers need to cut their SKUs

Increasingly, less is more. Here are some tips on shaving your product assortment down to a more manageable, profitable size.

Niemann Foods testing in-store mobile messaging program

July 7, 2009

NORMAL, Ill. — American Digital Signage, a digital out-of-home network and digital signage solutions provider, has announced it was chosen by retail chain and…

New service tracks deli shopping habits

July 6, 2009

Progressive Grocer: The NPD Group is now tracking consumer shopping habits, purchases and perceptions of the supermarket deli department through its new…

Retailers localizing discounts

July 6, 2009

The Wall Street Journal: Retailers such as Walmart and Home Depot have taken on or expanded some form of "localized markdowns," rather than slash prices the…

Consumers want more convenience, more American-made food products

July 1, 2009

Progressive Grocer: Consumers are more frequently choosing American-made products over less expensive foreign goods, according to a recent report by The…

Despite economy, largest retailers remain power players

June 30, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In spite of economic uncertainties, many of the nation's largest retailers held onto their coveted spots at the top of the retail ladder…