User Experience

Slow is the New Down
August 10, 2016 at 11:29 am

Every e-tailer fears its website going down, however, a website that’s been reduced to a snail’s pace because of a high volume of traffic can almost be more damaging. Today’s always-on consumers expect lightning-fast connections and load times, as if everyone can deliver the same user experience as Netflix. In fact, a study from Kissmetrics…

Powering Emotion in the Retail Experience
July 26, 2016 at 11:02 am

“I LOVE this shop,” my wife said when she came across a new dress shop in our local town. Love is a strong word, but that's exactly what retailers are trying to inspire in customers when they endeavor to build an emotional connection with them. The Harvard Business Review says that customers are emotionally connected…

Nordstrom Addresses Recent Downturn
July 25, 2016 at 1:20 pm

In mid-August of last year, warning signs at the Seattle headquarters of Nordstrom Inc. first became apparent. Up to that point, the upscale apparel retailer, with $14 billion in annual sales, had enjoyed several years of steady sales growth and expansion. Its stock had climbed to a record high of about $80 a share. “Then, all of…

What Drives Consumers to Real-Life Experiences
July 25, 2016 at 9:14 am

With many people taking the mantra “You can’t take it with you” to heart these days, nonessential spending is predicted to increase 22 percent over the next five years. According to numerous psychological studies, spending money on experiences makes consumers happier than purchasing material goods. Retailers that embrace this change in consumer ideology will push beyond the traditional product and location…

Performance is the Fifth ‘P’ in Online Retail Marketing
July 1, 2016 at 10:45 am

Traditionally, retailers’ marketing teams have been responsible for brand awareness and increasing market share through typical efforts such as email campaigns, ads and promotions. The emergence of the digital business era, marked by a sharp uptick in shopping online, has rocked marketing teams to their core. They must now expand their focus to consider IT…

Barnes & Noble Expands Cafe Concept
June 28, 2016 at 12:31 pm

Barnes & Noble is opening four concept stores throughout the country in 2017. In cafes twice the size of the bookstore’s current spots, beer, wine and a bigger food menu will be available to shoppers. This is the latest effort from Barnes & Noble to rejuvenate the company and grow sales. Jaime Carey, president of…

7 UX Tips to Improve Your E-Commerce Site
June 17, 2016 at 10:59 am

Most consumers shop online because they don’t want to go through the hassle of going to a local store. To that end, it’s crucial that e-commerce sites reduce customer confusion and make the shopping process as intuitive as possible in order to maximize conversion rate. This means that browsing, comparing items and checkout all need…