CRM

In the age of digital commerce and infinite choice, retailers must put their customers at the center of everything. Technology has changed how people shop while increasing shoppers’ expectations, putting pressure on retailers to care for their customers in ways that build trust and inspire loyalty beyond reason. This Consumer Report 2018 study evaluates how customers prefer to communicate with their favorite brands and what they expect from their retail experiences beyond the buy button.

Digital transformation is happening across retail organizations. A large percentage of consumer interactions occur through digital channels, which means retailers have to be more vigilant about the customer experience. But how do you drive a personal touch through digital channels? The answer is with data. Through data and insights, retailers can not only optimize efficiency,…

In episode 138 of Total Retail Talks, Michael Hoffman, director of e-commerce and customer service for Rainbow Shops, a women's apparel, accessories and footwear retailer, shares his thoughts on how retailers can do a better job of managing customer data. Hoffman was a speaker on Total Retail's most recent webinar, "Customer Intelligence 360: Laying the…

The debate of “art vs. science” in marketing is nothing new. However, as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and big data technologies rapidly improve, “science” is taking on new meaning and importance to chief marketing officers. Three out of four (73 percent) marketing executives see AI as critical to the future of the industry, according…

The 2017 holiday season was the strongest in nearly a decade for America’s retailers. From Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, nearly three-fourths of the selling days showed positive year-over-year growth, with specialty apparel, jewelry and furniture racking up solid performances. This strong performance offers an opportunity for retailers to stay connected to their customers and continue the…

There's nothing more important than building up confidence for your brand. However, it won’t happen fast and it won’t happen easily. It will likely take some incremental investments, but it doesn’t need to break the bank. Here a few ways that will help: Authenticity One of the most important elements of building confidence is authenticity.…

In this ever-changing marketplace, retailers are in constant pursuit of people-based marketing strategies to meaningfully improve shopper experiences, both in stores and online. Shoppers expect retailers to know their preferences, show them items they might be interested in, and make it easy to shop, buy and receive their orders fast. With the holiday season upon…

A collection of the top tips featured in Total Retail’s magazine and e-newsletters this year, from content marketing to inventory management to merchandising, and much more.

While the digital world continues to evolve, subscription-based online retail services are growing and becoming highly competitive and lucrative. This opportunity, however, isn't free of challenges, especially when it comes to acquiring and retaining subscribers. Often, online retailers make the strategic mistake of putting greater emphasis on attaining new subscribers over retaining existing ones —…

In episode 103 of Total Retail Talks, recorded at the Total Retail Talks Live! event in Seattle, Natalie Brown, director, experiential marketing, Sur La Table, talks about the kitchenware retailer's goal of being more than just a place where consumers can get products for their kitchens. Sur La Table seeks to be a source of…