Implementation Is the New Innovation in Retail Innovation always sounds like a great thing. New ideas, new technologies, and new best practices can help a retail business boost profits and engage new customer bases. Somewhere between ideation and implementation, though, innovation morphed into a buzzword. Sure, people love to throw the...
How a Real-Time Feedback Loop Impacts Customer Service Retail executives depend on hourly employees and local store management to deliver great customer experiences, execute merchandising strategies and drive sales. However, there are often disconnects between staff members and corporate management. Store employees can get bogged down in day-to-day operations and, in...
How Video Is Enhancing Heat Mapping for Retailers In today’s retail environment, heat maps often are used to understand customer behavior in relation to a store’s layout. And now, video capabilities are turning heat-mapping data up a notch. While heat mapping allows retailers to understand where customers walk within a store,...
How to Balance Digital and Human Interaction in Retail In an environment where online sales are expected to reach a staggering $370 billion by 2017, more retailers are shifting their focus to developing superior storefronts. However, a 2014 national shopping study indicated that consumers prefer shopping at brick-and-mortar stores to those online. As a business...
The Vicious Cycle of Brand Erosion (and How Your Employees Are Involved) Today, nearly a third of consumers learn about new products and services via social media and branded websites. This reality only bolsters the importance of establishing your brand to ensure success. Not only does an established brand enhance your professionalism, but it...
Retail Technology Trends: How to Stay Agile in a Changing Market Retail technology has expanded considerably over the past two decades. And the pace of disruption will only increase, so keeping a pulse on emerging trends will prepare your business to thrive in the digital retail age. As retail technology advances, consumers...
How to Move From Traditional to Automated Retail Management Anyone who’s worked in retail can testify that it’s largely driven by people. Whether they’re on the floor, in a private office or in the checkout line, all employees play a distinct role in the customer experience. In such a people-centric industry, the...
Don’t Let These Customer Service Slipups Cost You Any More Money If there’s one thing I’ve learned about customer service, it’s that problems don’t begin with customers — they begin with you and your team. A missed customer service opportunity usually doesn’t seem like the end of the world, but even...
How to Go Local While Maintaining Your Brand Image The day you decide to expand your company into new markets is a big one. You've built a strong brand and established your business's staying power. You're now ready to take your show on the road, bringing your winning formula to new...
Why Retailers Shouldn’t Use Secret Shoppers to Solve Problems The secret shopper is a charismatic creature. Slinky and crafty, it presents a pair of faulty socks like a gauntlet, just willing your employees to mess up. OK, secret shoppers are people, too. But there are some big downsides to outsourcing your quality...
