2016 in review: Top retail customer experience stories

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

The year 2016 was one of technology, big changes and big steps by retailers aiming to boost and hone the customer experience. Here's a look back at the big…

Digital gift cards proving popular with shoppers this holiday season

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

A First Data study reveals e-gift card usage is on the climb, driven by those ages 18 to 34. The biggest card buyers are those ages 35 to 54. The main reason…

Data analytics and the changing world of retail in 2017

If there’s a word that described the retail space in 2016, it’s change. Change in technology, tools and best practices. And, (no surprise), 2017 promises more…

Royal Bank of Canada first to deploy video service to small retail clients

December 13, 2016

Royal Bank of Canada clients can now tap video to connect real time, face-to-face, with bank service personnel.

Ashley Furniture taps VR, AR to deliver an innovative customer experience

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

The national brand is rolling out a consumer augmented reality app and an in-store virtual reality experience come 2017.

UPS holiday buying report: Tech gifts a top seller

December 8, 2016

High-tech lovers shopping for gifts are using their smartphones more than ever to buy tech gadget gifts and are more active in following retailers' social…

Branded mobile pay bodes big promise for retailers

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Check out a webinar presentation featuring an IBM expert that offers up terrific insight and knowledge regarding the branded mobile payment solution now…

Social media ROI, loyalty and the customer experience

While marketers know in their gut that social media is important as customers are clearly there and sharing, they often lack the return on investment to prove…

Dick’s Sporting Goods buys app to boost youth sport strategy

December 2, 2016

Sports merchandise retailer Dick's Sporting Goods is buying GameChanger Media, which makes an app offering data-based coaching information, instant game recaps…

Howard Schultz resigning as Starbucks CEO to focus on retail innovation

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

December 1, 2016

Schultz said he personally asked COO Kevin Johnson to fill his shoes because he is a "true servant leader."

Retail banking execs learn new ways to woo, wow and win customers at the 2016 BCX Summit

This fall, retail financial services executives from the US and beyond convened at the Bank Customer Experience Summit in Chicago to learn more about the…

MaxMedia celebrating its 20th anniversary and launching new retail campaign

November 28, 2016

As Max Media hits a huge business milestone, its 20th year in business, the digital retail experience agency is also launching a new campaign focused on…

Report: More than a few retailers not sure what marketing channel is most successful

November 24, 2016

When it comes to identifying the most successful and viable marketing opportunities more than a third of retailers, 36 percent, can't make the determination.

With omnichannel the devil is in the data

Retailers (and their suppliers) must leverage the omnichannel network to stay relevant and harness these rich cross-channel opportunities.

Black Friday: Gimmick, gone or more relevant than ever?

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Is Black Friday relevant, needed, necessary, or even a valuable marketing opportunity, or has it become a gimmick in the retailer's quest to grab consumers…

Live webinar: How merchant-branded payment boosts brand, loyalty and customer satisfaction

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Mobile pay is an increasing want for consumers and now there’s a new opportunity for retailers wanting to provide more than just mobile device payment…

Staples tapping app to push special Black Friday sales

November 21, 2016

Staples shoppers are getting a special peek into Black Friday deals via the retailer's app.

IBM buys a familiar Watson-based shopping assistant

November 21, 2016

IBM is acquiring the Expert Personal Shopper (XPS) division from Fluid, which built the shopping assistant tool using IBM's Watson cognitive computing…

How technology can enhance the customer in-store experience

Rather than being a threat, technology can in fact significantly enhance the customer in-store experience.

Wal-Mart tests blockchain technology to track food

November 18, 2016

Wal-Mart has started tracking two products using blockchain technology: a packaged produce item in the U.S., and pork in China, according to Bloomberg. While…