Tag: customer experience

March 6, 2024

Retail’s busiest returns period may be in the rearview mirror until next year, but rising ecommerce order volumes have caused returns management to become an aspect of ecommerce and omnichannel business that warrants a dedicated year-round strategy. Returns are a […]

February 29, 2024

The point-of-sale (POS) system has always been the one truly indispensable technology for any merchant, large or small. The centrality of the POS has led both retailers and solution providers to integrate it with other fundamental operational systems, from inventory […]

February 28, 2024

Out-of-home (OOH) advertising has played an integral role in the media mix for decades due to its influence and impact. The vast majority (88%) of U.S. adults have noticed an OOH ad within a one-month period and 78% of these […]

February 16, 2024

In the U.S., ecommerce spending is estimated to reach $1.7 trillion by 2027 – representing over 20% of overall retail sales. Additionally, global ecommerce spending could surpass $7 trillion as early as 2025. With the sector continuing to experience accelerated […]

February 15, 2024

A well-run supply chain organization has more in common with music than many may think. A supply chain is made up of many parts—there are physical assets like trucks on the roads and robots in the warehouse. There are the […]

February 13, 2024

The history of customer service dates to nearly the beginning of time, back to when merchants of the ancient civilizations in Rome and Greece worked to satisfy their customers. It has evolved since then, but until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted […]

February 8, 2024

Retail is evolving. With technology and changing customer behaviors guiding the way, more businesses are shifting toward automated systems and AI stores. In fact, according to Retail Innovation Hub’s 2022 research, there was an 11% increase in brands using self-checkout […]

February 7, 2024

The digitization of brick-and-mortar stores is nothing new, but up until recently it has primarily been focused on surfaces in the store that are already digital: point-of-sale systems or back-of-house tasks like inventory management. As a result, as the science […]

February 5, 2024

The physical shopping experience will always have a place in retail, but many retailers aren’t taking full advantage of their retail space. Store-within-a-store concepts offer an option that can help please customers and enhance the in-person shopping experience. The store-within-a-store […]

February 5, 2024

Amazon is launching its first AI-powered shopping assistant to empower mobile shoppers to search by query with answers delivered in a conversational context. Called “Rufus” after the dog of two early employees, the chatbot is based on a large language […]

February 1, 2024

While some pandemic problems in retail have waned, with inventories leveling off and consumers returning to buying both in-stores and online, 2024 is not without its challenges. Consumers are feeling the impact of inflation, while retail C-suites continue to see […]

February 1, 2024

In a bid to expand its already significant presence, Walmart is planning a significant escalation in its reach across the U.S. The retail company’s plans include the construction or conversion of over 150 large-scale stores within the next half-decade. The […]

January 25, 2024

If data is the new oil, then Walmart is sitting on a gusher. Three years ago, the company launched a concerted effort to refine and distribute that rich resource, not just for itself but also for its suppliers. The result […]

January 24, 2024

As 2024 unfolds, the B2B ecommerce sector is undergoing significant transformation driven by technological advancements and shifting buyer behaviors. Despite expectations of a modest economic downturn, this period presents an opportunity for businesses to optimize their operations, improve marketing strategies […]

January 22, 2024

In the dynamic world of retail, businesses face the ongoing challenges of rising advertising costs alongside a swiftly changing media landscape. In the face of this, the practice of Dynamic Creative Optimization (DCO) can offer a transformative way to navigate […]

January 19, 2024

The rumor that every NRF speaker was contractually obligated to mention artificial intelligence (AI) at least once per presentation is definitely untrue, but you’d be forgiven for thinking that was the case because AI worked its way into almost every […]

January 16, 2024

Personalized experiences are one of the foundation stones of great customer experience, according to conventional wisdom. But is that true across the board? Not necessarily. In some cases, personalization that’s too precise can underwhelm customers at best, and drive them […]

January 11, 2024

Generative AI has put the retail industry at yet another inflection point. 2023 was a period of experimentation for retailers, and many thoroughly assessed where this new technology could have the biggest impact. As the use cases for this technology […]

January 8, 2024

The quest to deliver a seamless and satisfying customer experience is central to retail companies’ strategies, and those efforts are even more important as the industry’s “peak season” is in full swing. Overall retail spend this holiday season is expected […]

January 3, 2024

Long viewed as a necessary evil, the retail returns process is emerging as an unexpected avenue for growth and customer engagement. In the rapidly expanding ecommerce market, projected to reach $3 billion in 2023, a significant 20% to 30% of […]