Recently, Hubba, a global B-to-B commerce network, examined the trends impacting the retail economy and released a new whitepaper, The Curated Future - why less selection, not more, will be the defining retail trend of 2018. The study explores the past, present and future state of the retail industry, as well as the tools needed to…
For online retailers, few issues are as confusing and cumbersome as understanding sales tax obligations in various states. Most companies either try to find an automated solution or stick their heads in the sand and hope for the best. In the face of this complexity, the Supreme Court recently agreed to hear South Dakota v.…
Customer information yields incredible power for today’s data-driven retailers. Yet with growing volumes of individual consumer data flowing across the network, cybercriminals are eager to exploit both online and offline vulnerabilities. Customer relationship management (CRM) analytics platforms fuel highly personalized, targeted marketing campaigns and programs, driving top-line and bottom-line results. But whether it’s being transported…
Customer-obsessed marketing is here, and retailers and brands are evaluating an increasingly complex advertising world filled with new questions around metrics, search performance and audience quality. In a recent study from RetailMeNot and Kelton Research on connecting retailers, brands and agencies with priority customers, retail marketers weigh in on the essential nature of identifying and…
Driven by continuous changes in technology and consumer behavior, retail’s survival is dependent on the industry’s ability to adapt to the customer journey and accommodate the blurred lines of shopping. However, with Amazon.com disrupting the industry, store closures being announced regularly, and the phrase "retail apocalypse" continuing to permeate the headlines, it's unlikely consumers will…
In this episode of Retail Right Now, Total Retail's Joe Keenan and Caitlin Sullivan discuss L.L.Bean's decision to change its famously generous return policy, the implications it may have on the brand, and what it means for its competitors.
Back in the 1970s, opening holiday gifts was an emotional minefield. Would this toy work? Chances were high that at least some would be duds. Back then, lots of cheap toys (and other goods) came from faraway lands still figuring out how to consistently make good things cheaply and in large numbers. As one of…
Some brands are learning the hard way that no matter how much they invest in a better customer experience (CX), a single mishap can have disastrous consequences. With customers more empowered than ever to share their feelings on social media, one negative experience can spark the outrage of thousands online. Just ask any of the…
Modern retail as we know it had to start somewhere. From price tags, coupons and shopping carts, to customized in-store experiences, the “endless aisle” and zero-waste supply chains, the industry has evolved beyond our wildest imaginations. But how did we get from retail 1.0 to where we are today? Modern Retail is Born Retail began…
1-800-Flowers.com is rolling out new digital features this Valentine's Day to optimize the customer experience on one of its busiest days of the year. With new ways to shop on-the-go, including ordering via chatbot or voice assistant; new payment options, including one-click transactions; a dedicated self-service customer service hub; concierge advice; a destination for enhanced…
