Product Packaging

Although a package redesign can increase sales significantly, the result can be also a huge failure (e.g. the Tropicana case, where the company lost over 50 million dollars). This is not surprising since influencing purchase decisions is complex: shoppers spend only a few seconds on a category, scan products in a split second, and decide subconsciously what to buy. Redesigning a package can be a big opportunity, as the package influences the last step in the purchase process. The question is rather which design will boost sales the most? Or stated differently: which research method consistently picks the winning design?

Amazon.com wants to take some delivery worries away from customers. The Information reported that two companies — August, which makes connected locks that you can control from your smartphone, and Garageio, a startup that builds connected garage door openers — are working on new technology that would give delivery people temporary access to your home…

With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about your holiday strategy. A successful holiday shopping season doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, planning and a strategy that allows you to deliver the same high-quality customer experiences that shoppers enjoy throughout the year. During November and December, many retailers enjoy a healthy…

Zappos’ new campaign #ImNotABox inspires customers to get creative. A limited number of orders are shipping in these new boxes that double as artistic, crafty fun. Melissa Ward of Target Marketing, Total Retail's sister brand, is joined by Rob Stott, creator of the #Unboxed series, and together they show you that Zappos’ new shipping box…

This week, Truth In Advertising (TINA) reported Wal-Mart is still misusing the “Made in the USA" label. In a letter to the FTC, the advertising watchdog group urged the group to look into Wal-Mart’s continuous practice of mislabeling products as Made in the USA. The group currently believes over 100 products are mislabeled on Wal-Mart’s…

Retailers are dealing with changes in consumer habits and the explosive rise of e-commerce, which have transformed not only the small parcel economy, but the entire supply chain. Understanding the following six key supply chain realities will help improve efficiency, customer satisfaction and, ultimately, the bottom line. We're not slowing down: According to a Sealed Air…

Zappos wants you to think outside the box. Beginning with the box itself. On June 1, the online retailer will begin shipping some shoes in a very cool new box (designed in-house) that features a collection of template designs printed on the inside encouraging recipients to fold, cut and otherwise reuse the box into items like…

J.C. Penney Co. Inc. has made its private labels a key part of its strategy to capture market share and continue to improve its results. J.C. Penney shares are up 15.4 percent in Friday trading in the wake of its fourth-quarter earnings release on Thursday and management commentary on the higher-margin private label approach.

Honest Co., the online shopping company co-founded by actress and model Jessica Alba, was accused in a lawsuit of fraudulently labeling dozens of home and personal care products as natural, plant-based or chemical-free, causing consumers to overpay. The complaint filed on Friday night by Brad and Manon Buonasera in U.S. District Court in Manhattan targets Honest’s…

U.S. officials on Wednesday sued J.C. Penney, accusing the retailer of deceiving consumers by advertising textile fiber products as containing bamboo and bamboo fiber, when they actually contain rayon. According to a complaint filed by the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission, J.C. Penney in "numerous instances" deceptively advertised products such as men's socks,…