More companies realize customer experience will be critical in 2008

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 11, 2008

Forrester Research has just published "Obstacles to Customer Experience Success, 2008," which distills the results of a survey of 287 customer experience…

Wal-Mart countdown clocks mark the minutes to digital TV deadline

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 10, 2008

On February 17, 2009, analog televisions in the United States will no longer be able to pick up over-the-air signals. Research done by the Nielsen Company says…

Healthnotes program shown to increase shopper satisfaction, drive sales

February 6, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. — Healthnotes announced results of an in-store test conducted by an independent firm showing that the company's "Fresh Ideas" program drives…

Wal-Mart launches online shopping tool for Valentine's Day

February 4, 2008

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart has introduced HelpaChickPick.com and re-introduced HelpaGuyBuy.com, online shopping tools that help customers identify the gift…

Survey: grocery shopping can be enjoyable, sometimes

February 3, 2008

Progressive Grocer: For the folks who craft the myths and messages of a brand — professional marketers — grocery shopping can sometimes be significantly…

Retail clinics a symptom of change in patient demand

February 3, 2008

The Tennessean: The medical profession should not be surprised that small, convenient retail clinics are popping up as popular destinations for patients. The…

WINCOR WORLD: 360-degree scanning will speed check-out

January 30, 2008

The Real 360 works when a shopper places no more than 1 item each on its segmented conveyor belt. Merchandise then is sped through a tunnel of…

Brand-sponsored events boost purchase intent

January 28, 2008

BrandWeek: A new survey shows in-person events can boost purchase intent by as much as 52 percent. According to the report, released this month by the…

Tesco plans department-style stores

January 23, 2008

Reuters: Tesco has plans to open multiple-level stores, revealing a new threat to store owners like Marks and Spencer and Debenhams. "Where land is premium we…

Green shoppers drive larger baskets

January 22, 2008

Progressive Grocer: A new study, performed by Catalina Marketing in conjunction with the FMI Sustainability Task Force, found that when one nonfood green…

Whole Foods to get rid of plastic bags

January 21, 2008

USA Today: Whole Foods will announce plans to stop offering disposable, plastic grocery bags in all 270 stores in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom…

NRF board calls for economic stimulus

January 15, 2008

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The National Retail Federation Board of Directors has called on Congress and President Bush to enact legislation to stimulate the nation's…

Wal-Mart to open small-footprint grocery stores

January 15, 2008

The Arizona Republic: Just one month after Tesco opened its first smaller-scale Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, Wal-Mart Corp. is reportedly planning a…

Study: Pricey products trigger happy responses in consumers

January 15, 2008

MSNBC: The more we believe an item is worth, the happier we are with our purchase — at least for a short time, says a study released in Proceedings of the…

Microsoft bringing ads to shopping carts

January 14, 2008

CNN: Microsoft Corp. is bringing digital advertising to the grocery cart. The software maker spent four years working with Plano, Texas-based MediaCart…

Kroger testing paperless coupons

January 13, 2008

Forbes: Some grocery chains are trying paperless, or digital, coupons. Kroger Co. is partnering with Procter & Gamble Co. to offer paperless discounts for…

IBM unveils results of new retail loyalty survey

January 13, 2008

NEW YORK — IBM unveiled a new survey of 19,000 U.S. consumers which found that across multiple retail segments, only 21 percent of consumers are advocates for…

ARTS releases SOA blueprint for retail

January 13, 2008

NEW YORK — The Association for Retail Technology Standards, the standards division of the National Retail Federation, announced the release of the SOA…

Wincor Nixdorf bringing retail IT platform to the U.S.

January 10, 2008

AUSTIN, Texas — Wincor Nixdorf, supplier of IT solutions for the retail and banking industries, announced the U.S. introduction of its TP.net software…

Marketers experimenting with digital signage

January 9, 2008

Promo: Borders is not the only retailer discovering what behemoths like Wal-Mart already know: In-store TV is a smart way to talk to customers. The networks…