American Express

In the retail space, social media has brought on a new progression of relating to customers and driving experience and sales out of those relationships. This social media landscape has produced new and highly targeted and personal ways of communicating. It's introduced new rules for competing with other brands. With all of the socially unforeseen twists in the competitive environment, one thing is certain: this is a socially networked world and it calls for devoted and calculated participation for all brands across sectors. For retailers, this always-present method of communicating with their customers has propelled a new foundation in customer service.

Warby Parker, the hip purveyor of retro-style glasses, has solidified ties with two of its most prominent fans. Now the three-year-old startup can count Millard S. Drexler, the chief executive of J.Crew, and American Express as participants in its latest round of financing, which closed last month at $41.5 million. The two join an already expansive group of investors that includes General Catalyst Partners, Spark Capital, Tiger Global Management, Thrive Capital and Menlo Ventures.

What's the easiest way to go about becoming PCI compliant? Unless there's a specific business need to retain payment card information, don't store the primary account number (PAN). PAN data are key targets for thieves and cause organizations to do a lot more work to become PCI compliant. However, since many organizations have a valid business need to keep card numbers and associated data, below are additional tips to achieve PCI compliance:

Small businesses across the country got their holiday season off to a strong start as millions of U.S. consumers "shopped small" on Small Business Saturday and made a big impact on local communities. According to the second installment of the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, released yesterday by the National Federation of Independent Business and American Express, consumer awareness of Small Business Saturday jumped to 67 percent from 34 percent just two weeks ago. Of those aware, nearly half (47 percent) shopped on Small Business Saturday.

E-commerce's growth has been well documented. With competition over pricing and public awareness, having excellent customer service can set your e-commerce site apart from your competition. While online retailers may get customer service questions via email, consumers still prefer to pick up the phone to ask questions. Whether you choose to keep your customer service team in-house, use call-center software or outsource, make sure those on the phone understand service is the top priority.

Wal-Mart and American Express are teaming up on a reloadable prepaid card for shoppers. The two companies said Monday that Bluebird, a reloadable prepaid card which began during a pilot program late last year, will have no minimum balance and no monthly, annual or overdraft fees. The companies say the only fees associated with the card will be transparent and within the user's control, such as out-of-network ATM withdrawals by consumers who don't have direct deposit.

Home Depot prides itself in being an innovative company that's always at the forefront of new technologies. The brand's use of digital gift cards speaks to that culture of innovation.

American Express card holders can use the Twitter online messaging service to get exclusive discounts and other deals from more than a dozen retailers under a partnership announced yesterday.

Price transparency has been — and continues to be — a disrupting influence in retail. It grants smartphone-wielding and web-based consumers the ability to instantaneously discover the best price available for almost any product at any time. Comparison shopping apps and websites conjure up for consumers the lowest cost available across traditional brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce sites within seconds.

Consumers have spoken: Amazon.com has the best customer service among U.S. retailers, according to a survey of thousands of shoppers. In a survey of 9,374 shoppers, Amazon.com took top honors in the seventh annual NRF Foundation/American Express Customers' Choice survey, conducted by BIGinsight.