Personalization

With brick-and-mortar retailers struggling from online competition, every point of differentiation helps. Data makes that possible.

Personalization is one of the most used buzzwords in e-commerce right now, and the reason for that is simple: it works and people enjoy it. We’re now living in a world where every email knows our name, even if they’re coming from complete strangers. Every video we watch on YouTube comes with an ad based…

The first ever coupon is believed to have been distributed in 1888 by Coca-Cola — a ticket for a “free cup of Coke” to help promote the drink. It's estimated that by 1913, one in nine Americans had redeemed at least one of the 8.5 million tickets distributed through mail, magazine inserts, sales representatives and company…

In an age where technology evolves as quickly as customer expectations rise, it's increasingly difficult for brands and retailers to remain competitive while adapting to new trends and demands. It’s no longer enough for brands to merely be “present” across multiple channels, no matter how many social platforms they dabble on. In order to reach…

Smart brands are looking for new ways to beat their competition and succeed in this changing retail industry. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSI) is leveraging its best competitive advantage — its network of stores — to give customers an enhanced shopping experience across its portfolio of brands (Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and West Elm). Williams-Sonoma, Inc. recently introduced…

A personalized experience is no longer an added feature of an e-commerce website — it’s a deciding factor in whether connected consumers do business with a brand. Many e-commerce businesses are failing at digital innovation because they’re not optimizing their channels to meet individual customer preferences. With recent data from the Boston Consulting Group revealing…

At a time when many retailers are closing stores, Indochino is opening doors to new showrooms. Total Retail's Taylor Knight got an inside look at the newly opened Indochino showroom at the King of Prussia Mall just outside of Philadelphia. Indochino's East Coast District Manager BJ McCahill explains how the menswear retailer has brought customization…

With the recent increase in retail store closings (according to Credit Suisse, 2,880 retail stores have already shut down this year), it’s more important than ever for retailers to get their e-commerce channel right. But online, it’s very easy for consumers to shop around before making a purchase — comparing prices and styles across sites…

With the recent increase in retail store closings (according to Credit Suisse, 2,880 retail stores have already shut down this year), it’s more important than ever for retailers to get their e-commerce channel right. But online, it’s very easy for consumers to shop around before making a purchase — comparing prices and styles across sites […]

Consumers may be focused on back-to-school shopping right now, but retailers are already looking ahead and planning for the busy holiday shopping season. Big-box retailers like Wal-Mart and Target might be the first to come to mind when consumers think “holiday shopping” or Black Friday, but small businesses are continuing to position themselves to better…