Offering excellent products and services is an effective strategy for increasing sales, but another approach that can bring retailers successful results is by providing personalized elements for customers, both in stores and online. This helps shoppers feel valued and appreciated, further increasing the chances they will purchase from those brands in the future.

MultiChannel Merchant cites research from MyBuys and the e-tailing group, which found that 40 percent of consumers surveyed said they are more likely to buy from retailers that offer personalized interactions through all of their available channels. Online advertisements and email marketing messages that are tailored to shoppers are the biggest drivers of repeat business, the study revealed. In addition, 60 percent of respondents stated they like personalized communications, as it gives them the chance to discover items they otherwise would not have come across, the source reports.

While personalized interactions seem easier to conduct over digital channels, such as email and mobile, they also need to be incorporated into store communications. Fortunately, more modern channels are helping boost this kind of engagement at brick-and-mortar locations, according to Street Fight Magazine. Data garnered through digital methods can be used in stores when consumers visit these locations, allowing associates to make product recommendations based off of this information.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, April 4th, 2013 at 11:51 am .

Consumers are going online in increasing numbers these days to browse for and purchase items from retailers' websites. For this reason, businesses are putting more focus into creating attractive and easy-to-navigate online platforms, as this is one way to boost retention and establish loyalty. However, recent research has revealed that many retail websites are experiencing slow loading times, which in turn is resulting in dissatisfied shoppers and, ultimately, drops in customer retention.

To combat this unfortunate trend, companies need to ensure they have the most effective technology for their sites. In addition, regularly testing these online platforms can pinpoint any problem areas, such as lagging load times and other issues, that can then be brought to businesses' attention, giving them the chance to correct the situation before it causes problems for web patrons.

Top retail sites see slow loading
According to a recently released study by Radware, between December 2011 and 2012, many of the top retail sites' loading times slowed by 22 percent, highlighting a significant performance issue that could lead to declines in customer satisfaction and retention. In addition, the median load time for these analyzed sites stood at 7.25 seconds. This is longer than the three seconds that the average online shopper is willing to wait before moving onto another merchant's platform, the research discovered.

"The fact that the median site has slowed down by 22 percent in just one year should be alarming for retail site owners," said Joshua Bixby, vice president of application acceleration at Radware. "This is a massive drop in performance. If this slowdown rate goes unchecked, we will see median load times of 9 seconds or more, which is simply unacceptable for online shoppers. As pages continue to grow bigger and more complex, site owners need to take aggressive steps to mitigate this growth."

Online sites growing in importance
Complicating the issue of ensuring that retail websites load effectively and in a timely manner is the fact that customer satisfaction relies heavily on how well companies' online platforms appear and how easy they are to use. Internet Retailing reports that a study ForeSee discovered that retailers' websites scored a 74 on a 100-point satisfaction scale. While this figure is positive, there is more to be done in terms of enhancing online shoppers' experiences.

Having attractive displays, fast processing times, easy browsing functions – and, of course, quick load times – are all ways that retailers can improve their sites and customer experiences.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, April 4th, 2013 at 9:43 am .

Whether it is mobile POS solutions, developing applications or creating mobile marketing campaigns, retailers across the world are putting more focus on and money toward mobile technology. This is being done to meet consumer demand, as more and more individuals are using smartphones and tablets not only for daily tasks, but for shopping as well. Recent research has revealed that many merchants know the importance of mobile for their operations, so they are taking steps now to accommodate device-carrying customers. For businesses that have yet to implement this technology, now is a good time to do so. Failing to incorporate mobile solutions could mean that brands lose customer loyalty, ultimately impacting revenues.

Mobile provides growth
Many retailers are no longer turning a blind eye to mobile, as highlighted in a study by Worldwide Business Research. PYMNTS.com reports that the research revealed that out of 115 companies, 54 percent stated they believe that mobile will be the biggest growth area over the next two years.

Merchants are taking various steps to improve their mobile offerings, the study revealed. Sixty-four percent of respondents said they are putting more attention into developing and optimizing their websites for smartphones, while 14 percent are creating sites that can be viewed and accessed on tablets. Another 14 percent are integrating their mobile and in-store experiences, and 8 percent are turning their focus to developing mobile applications for shoppers, the news source reports.

Mobile POS solutions are also coming to the forefront of retailers' offerings, as customers are increasingly preferring to pay with their smartphones and tablets, the research discovered.

"As smartphones become enabled with payment [technology], customers will increasingly incorporate them into their repertoire of shopping missions and will be disappointed if retailers don't facilitate for them across all their channels," stated Robin Phillips, director of eCommerce at Waitrose.

Understanding consumers and their devices
For businesses wanting to enter the mobile realm, they need to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Retailers need to ensure they understand both their customers and the devices they are using, according to Tealeaf. The customer experience management firm states that American adults are spending more time on mobile devices than reading print publications. In addition, 99 percent of individuals are using at least one device each week. This kind of information, coupled with preferred communication channels and favorite products, can help retailers craft effective mobile strategies.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, April 4th, 2013 at 8:48 am .

Registration is happening now for Retail Pro Business Partners and Customers interested in attending this year's Retail Pro Global Conference in Barcelona, Spain. The Business Partner Summit will take place October 18 – 20, with the Customer Summit being held October 20 – 22. Register now at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Registration.php to guarantee a spot!

By registering early, Business Partners and Customers can ensure they have a place at this year's Conference, saving them the hassle of scrambling to sign up before the deadline ends. Of course, the worry of forgetting to register is eliminated by registering now instead of waiting later. In addition, if attendees save their spot now, booking plane tickets will be easier, not to mention significantly cheaper. Business Partners and Customers can choose dates, times and even seats well ahead of time.

Signing up now gives attendees the ability to book rooms at the venue, the Hesperia Tower. There is a limited number of rooms available at the hotel, and since the 2013 Retail Pro Global Conference will attract many retail industry professionals, it's beneficial now to reserve rooms well ahead of time. And if Business Partners and Customers sign up now, they can even schedule some time to tour around Barcelona, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and all of Europe. Be sure to register today to guarantee a spot!

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, April 4th, 2013 at 4:40 am .

Trends are always changing within the retail industry, and businesses are well aware of this fact. However, that doesn't mean that merchants should turn a blind eye toward the aspects that are currently shaping their profession. Instead, companies should embrace them, as they are often the best strategies for attracting and retaining valuable customers.

So just what are some of the components at the forefront of retail right now? BDaily writes that gathering and implementing feedback is something that many businesses are currently focusing on. Many merchants are setting up a "continuous design-development-feedback loop" wherein they utilize the opinions and reviews of customers to create more effective processes, products and other operational factors.

The source writes that retailers are also looking for ways to merge their online and offline elements, as this results in more consistent and satisfactory experiences for customers. Merchants are streamlining all touchpoints for shoppers in the hope of generating loyalty. In addition, the source notes that mobile technology is playing a key role in retail operations, as consumers are increasingly using devices to browse for and purchase items. Mobile POS systems are making this more efficient in stores.

This entry was posted by admin on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 at 2:58 pm .

As more Americans grow increasingly confident about their own financial conditions, retailers across the country are expected to see positive impacts in the form of additional consumer spending. So far in 2013, sales have been significantly strong for merchants, and this upward trend is expected to continue.

Bloomberg reports that consumers spending throughout the month of February jumped to its highest level in five months, representing a 0.7 percent growth, according to data from the Commerce Department. This follows a 0.4 percent increase during January and it has resulted in more positive estimates from analysts. The news source explains that retail purchases account for approximately 70 percent of the U.S. economy, highlighting the importance of consumer spending for further improvement.

While the total sales volumes from March are not yet available, the first three weeks of last month were positive for retailers. Dow Jones writes that statistics from Redbook Research revealed that sales were up 0.6 percent during the first 21 days of March, and if spending continued to be solid for the last week, the month could be a good sign for the nation's retailers.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 at 11:22 am .

It can be due to a bad day at work, a fight with a friend or family member or just a general feeling of sadness, but whatever the reason, many American consumers are still indulging in retail therapy to cheer themselves up.

According to a recently released survey by Ebates.com, a majority of shoppers turn to retailers – both in stores and online – to improve their moods when they are feeling down. Fifty-one percent of Americans admit they visit merchants to buy various items when they are feeling down. The research revealed that women are more likely to engage in retail therapy, with 63 percent of females buying merchandise when sad, compared to 39 percent of men.

Ebates.com also highlighted the most preferred items for retail therapy among both genders. Women are more likely to buy clothing, followed by shoes, accessories and books and magazines. Men purchase food, electronics, music and movies as well as games and toys to boost their moods.

While it is hard for retailers to pinpoint exactly when shoppers will want to indulge in some retail therapy, they can reach out to existing customers with messages containing information about patrons' preferred products and services, increasing the chances that consumers will turn to these brands for some good mood shopping.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013 at 10:37 am .

As consumers increasingly bring their smartphones and tablets into retail brick-and-mortar locations, some merchants may begin to think that having associates spread throughout the sales floor is no longer an effective way to provide customer service. However, that is certainly not the case, and these employees are more important than ever before.

In an article for Forbes, Wendy Liebmann writes that even though many shoppers want quick and easy transactions, which can be helped with mobile devices in stores, there is still a significant amount of patrons that want personalized and engaged service. To capitalize on this behavior, some retailers have taken a unique approach by equipping sales associates with the knowledge and even technology needed to effectively answer consumer inquiries and help them with their needs. Often, shoppers seek out employees to get advice on the best products and services, so doing away with these associates may not be the best plan of action, Liebmann explains.

To accommodate consumers who prefer to use technology, mobile POS systems can significantly boost satisfaction by allowing shoppers to use their devices to complete their transactions. In addition, Retail Digital writes that "virtual agents" or kiosks posted throughout stores give customers the ability to look up information and quickly find the merchandise they are looking for.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013 at 1:13 pm .

For retailers looking for a world class retail management system that fits their technology needs, the search is over. Retail Pro Prism has all of the capabilities, features and benefits for businesses that want a flexible and effective POS solution. Interested retail professionals can learn all about Retail Pro Prism this Thursday, April 4 during the hour long webinar event, taking place between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/474744810.

Presenting the webinar will be Ket Venethongkham, Director of Retail Pro University. He will host discussions about and live demonstrations of Retail Pro Prism to attendees. Industry professionals will have the chance to view firsthand how the technology solution can improve retail operations.

Some of the benefits include real-time access to essential data, reduced costs for maintenance and acquisition and improved administrative efficiency. With Retail Pro Prism, companies can see various features of the software, such as greater point of sale processing, solutions for managing customers and streamlined communications for all departments and locations. Retail Pro Prism takes care of a variety of retail functions, including transactions, customer orders, inventory tracking and employee productivity. All of this and much more will be showcased at Thursday's webinar, so sign up today to guarantee a spot!

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013 at 10:06 am .

Trends within customer service sometimes come and go, but one aspect that seems to satisfy consumers significantly is personalized elements during their shopping experiences. This factor has become more prevalent in recent years, as businesses have been able to gather and store information related to shoppers' preferences, needs and other pertinent details. For this reason, consumers have come to expect personalized service.

Internet Retailer reports that according to research from the e-tailing group, 44 percent of internet shoppers stated they prefer when brands offer personalized product recommendations based on past purchases. In addition, 41 percent said they would be more likely to purchase from a retailer that provides suggestions and personalized elements. However, this trend doesn't pertain only to ecommerce, but should be incorporated into store operations as well.

While data about shoppers can be gathered easily from online purchases, merchants can also collect information about in-store patrons. Fast Casual writes that transactions provide businesses with a variety of details about customers, and retailers can take that time to get other details from consumers, such as birthdate, preferred items and other factors. This data can then be used to create more personalized experiences for shoppers next time they come into storefronts. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013 at 10:03 am .