Live chat drives sales, satisfaction — but only when executed honestly

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Web retailers that offer live text-chat assistance can increase conversion and generate word-of-mouth, but poor or dishonest execution can spell disaster.

Opinion: Loyalty is more than points programs

Building a perfect loyalty program requires a delicate balance between reward and customer effort — and online retailers are leading the way.

Gamefly debuts video game rental kiosks

April 15, 2009

The Daily Toreador (Texas Tech Univ.): GameFly, an online video game rental service, recently launched its G-Box Kiosk, the first of its kind at colleges and…

Luxury vending machine sells Bentley convertibles, condos

April 14, 2009

Chicago Tribune: In the market for a Bentley sports car, a Jean Paul Gaultier dress or a cell phone, but don't feel like dealing with a pesky salesperson?

Webinar: Behind the fall of a retail giant: Seven things every retailer can learn from the collapse of Circuit City

The recent collapse of once-great electronics retailer Circuit City sent shockwaves through retail – but to many, it wasn't entirely a shock. Two former…

Microsoft's Retail Experience Center: It's all about connectedness

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The Redmond giant's retail test lab focuses on connecting all the moving parts of a retail enterprise, right down to the customer level.

Handheld scanners boost sales by 10 percent

April 12, 2009

The Hartford Courant: Stop & Shop has deployed new hand-held scanners in several of its Connecticut stores. The purple devices allow customers to keep a…

New app lets shoppers access in-store coupons on an iPhone, iPod Touch

April 9, 2009

FT. COLLINS, Colo. — Approved by Apple, the new Coupon Sherpa application is available at the iPhone App Store. Finish Line, Zales Jewelers, Coldwater Creek…

Predictix launches SaaS suite for consumer-centric merchandising

April 9, 2009

ATLANTA — Predictix announced the official launch of its consumer-centric merchandising solution suite. The Predictix suite is delivered in a…

New digital signage network aimed at Hispanic shoppers

April 8, 2009

ORANGE, Calf. — Captive Media Marketing, a Scala partner, has developed CMM.LATV, a retail TV network catering to Hispanic shoppers. It allows manufacturers…

Checkpoint introduces source-to-store merchandise visibility solution

April 7, 2009

THOROFARE, N.J. — Checkpoint Systems Inc., a supplier of shrink management solutions, has announced the release of its Merchandise Visibility Solution, which…

Maritz, Welcome Real-Time announce POS-based marketing and loyalty program

April 6, 2009

ST. LOUIS — Maritz and Welcome Real-Time have announced a partnership to launch a new loyalty solution in the United States and Canada. The offering, Maritz…

Brown Shoe adds Trusonic music service

April 6, 2009

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Fluid Music Canada's Trusonic Inc., a provider of Internet-delivered music and messaging services for retailers, announced that Brown Shoe…

What green can mean for a retailer's image

Properly leveraged, green initiatives can make customers feel better about shopping at certain stores.

Datalogic Mobile, Wincor Nixdorf to deliver more mobile solutions to retailers

April 2, 2009

PADERBORN, Germany — Datalogic Mobile, a global player in the rugged mobile computers and self-shopping solutions market, and Wincor Nixdorf AG have signed a…

TOP Food & Drug loyalty card offers more than just discounts

April 2, 2009

RFID Journal: Consumers at TOP Food & Drug, a food retail chain in Washington State, are using RFID-enabled loyalty cards as part of a program known as…

Carnival placing 'interactive aquariums' in empty store windows

April 1, 2009

Display & Design Ideas: Carnival Cruise Lines is placing interactive digital "aquariums" into empty store windows in six U.S. cities. The promotion, which…

GlobalShop 2009: Optimism and strength

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Despite the economic chill in the air, attendees and exhibitors made last week's tradeshow a success in the eyes of its organizers.

Wincor powers new Best Buy stores in China

March 31, 2009

PADERBORN — Consumer electronics retailer Best Buy awarded Wincor Nixdorf a contract to open six new stores in China, as part of its strategic expansion…

Stickers enable NFC payments on cell phones

March 31, 2009

USA Today: Payments by cell phone at retail have been slow to take off in the U.S. MasterCard and Blaze Mobile have unveiled high-tech stickers that aim to…