Omnichannel

The so-called retail apocalypse that has taken the blame for shuttering brick-and-mortar stores isn't as detrimental as some may think. At first glance, the common notion that digital-native retailers would supplant traditional retailers with physical stores appeared to have some truth to it. Store closures and bankruptcies seemed to be rampant, which caused digital evangelists…

Over the last several years, the retail industry has experienced significant changes. The most noticeable change is the Amazon Effect, or the ongoing evolution of the retail market due to Amazon.com's industry dominance. Simultaneously, changing consumer dynamics, including omnichannel expectations and urban population shifts, have forced retailers to rethink their product marketing strategies. While it seems…

Our world is being radically changed by the fact that almost everyone is always digitally connected. This has led to a fundamental shift in the ways businesses should engage and interact with consumers. I first realized the importance of data and a direct connection to customers during 30 years spent in marketing and leadership roles…

In episode 198 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan speaks with Ken Wincko, vice president of marketing at Barnes & Noble College, a national college and university bookstore operator with over 1,400 physical and virtual stores. They discuss how Barnes & Noble College's mobile app is helping to improve its Gen Z customers’…

One of the downfalls that has come with the growth in e-commerce sales is the corresponding increase in product returns, particularly in certain categories such as apparel and footwear. It makes sense. Without the ability to touch, feel and try on a product before making a purchase like in-store shoppers have, one would expect return…

As digitally speaking business professionals, we sometimes think consumers making purchases are just like us, living across devices. As marketers, we hope customers experience multiple touchpoints with our brand and come back repeatedly before making a purchase. When we consider a shopper’s journey, we imagine a consumer visiting a website on an iPhone while walking…

With more options available to them than ever before, consumers’ purchase journeys are anything but linear. Consumers are shifting between channels during the purchase journey, from mobile to online to store to social media, and in no particular order, before ultimately making a purchase in a channel different than where they started. And they expect…

In this episode of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Ryan Babenzien, founder and CEO of GREATS, a luxury sneaker brand. Listen in as Ryan discusses the digital-native brand's entrance into brick-and-mortar retail, including the value of knowledgeable store associates. This episode was recorded live at Shoptalk 2019 in Las Vegas.

Today’s consumers don’t differentiate between retail channels. They’ll jump between mobile, online and in-store to curate each individual purchasing journey according to their needs. It's becoming clear to retailers that shopping for them is all about ease, immediacy and the instant gratification of desires. For these empowered multichannel shoppers, convenience conquers all. Whether that’s finding…

Last month, Total Retail released its third annual ranking of 100 enterprise retailers based on their omnichannel capabilities — i.e., programs offered, and the execution of those programs. The 2019 Top 100 Omnichannel Retailers report was produced in conjunction with Radial, a leader in omnichannel commerce technology and operations. The comprehensive report identifies the retailers and brands leading…