Technology

Apple Plans Purchasing Platform
January 26, 2011

Apple plans to introduce services that would let customers use its iPhone and iPad computer to make purchases, said Richard Doherty, director of consulting firm Envisioneering Group.

Sears Leads the Way With iPad App
January 25, 2011

With more big-box retailers and department store chains such as Sears launching commerce-enabled applications for Apple's iPad and other tablets, merchants must position their offerings to differentiate from competitors.

10 Retail Technology Highlights From NRF
January 17, 2011

The National Retail Federation's BIG Show, which took place in New York last week, is an annual opportunity for retailers to tap into the latest technologies for improving everything from customer analysis to mobile commerce.

How to Use Proactive Chat Effectively
September 28, 2010

If you ask the average online retailer what they think of proactively inviting website visitors to engage in a live chat, chances are they’d say it’s “too intrusive” or “annoying to the shopper.” A recent survey of more than 1,000 regular, U.S.-based internet shoppers begs to differ.

3 Ways the iPad Impacts Retail
September 28, 2010

Aside from its impressive sales figures, the iPad already has found its way into our culture, making appearances on hit TV shows, in popular YouTube videos and in White House policy meetings. With this much momentum, what kind of an impact might the device have on retailers? We'll see much more innovation in the year ahead, but here are three early signs of the iPad’s expected impact in retail:

Betsey Johnson Store Launches First Facebook Places Campaign
September 16, 2010

A Betsey Johnson store in California and a novelties e-tailer will each launch Facebook Places campaigns today. The location-based efforts represent the first-ever Places initiatives, marking the beginning of what promises to be a growing trend among Facebook marketers.

How to Use Foursquare as a Loyalty-Building Tool
September 14, 2010

It’s quite natural that many customer-focused businesses are asking themselves: “How does Foursquare fit into our marketing mix?” The answer: it depends on your audience, your approach and your aim.

10 Ways to Protect Your Brand From Coupon Fraud
September 14, 2010

When executed properly, printable coupon campaigns can be an incredibly cost-effective way to drive customer acquisition and traffic into stores. When executed incorrectly, printable coupons can cause problems across an entire organization.