States pushing to collect online sales tax
A federal appeals court has upheld a Colorado law that would make it easier to collect sales tax owed on online purchases, and a dozen other states are moving ahead with efforts of their own rather than waiting for Congress. But with a vote promised later this year in...
9 ways retailers can cut back on food waste
America wastes a whopping 40 percent of our post-harvest food supply. Yikes! As a retailer committed to keeping people and the planet healthy, you’re already making solid efforts to avoid wasting food in-store. But is there even more you can do? Read more …
What virtual reality brings to physical stores
Virtual reality has the potential to liven up the retail experience and drive traffic to stores, Laura Heller writes. The technology offers a host of new possibilities, from seeing a home-improvement project before it happens to virtually trying out athletic gear in environments that closely resemble the outdoors. Read...
5 stores that illustrate the evolution of retail
Leading retailers around the world are responding to shifting consumer preferences and rapidly changing technology. Planet Retail has identified five store concepts from retailers like Whole Foods, Waitrose and Amazon that exemplify the changing face of the industry. Read more …
Disrupt yourself or be disrupted by the competition
Consumers are changing and adapting quickly, and expect retailers to keep pace. What can retailers — from established multichannel brands to young digital companies — learn from the startups and small businesses that are rethinking e-commerce? Digital stars from SoulPancake, Zappos, Bebe and J.C. Penney explain why agility is...
Experience keeps shoppers coming back to independent stores
Shopping experience and a focus on customer service keep consumers coming back to independent retail stores, despite competition from national retailers. Ellen Ward, co-owner of Georgia-based bookstore FoxTale Book Shoppe, said her store’s sales have grown between 15% and 25% annually since its opening in 2007, even though it...
How social media is driving grocery shoppers’ behavior
Grocery shoppers are three times more likely to ask for opinions from others before making a purchase than they were in the days before the rise of social media, according to an analysis from Integer Group. The number of consumers who make lists before hitting the store has grown...
The science of hooking customers
To build a loyal customer base, it’s not enough to offer a good product — retailers need to offer a habit-forming product. Author Nir Eyal shares what he’s learned about consumer habits and behavioral design. Read more …
7 tips for growing a small retail business
Good news for small retailers – there’s never been a better time to grow your company, and a survey from American Express says growth is the No. 1 focus for small businesses. During the Small Business Experience session at Retail’s BIG Show, experts including Rhonda Abrams and Nikki Baird...
5 Easy Steps to Figuring Out Your Ideal Profit Margins
As a business owner, if it is costing you more money to create your product than you are making when you sell it—you have problems. But how do you calculate your ideal profit margin? And once you do so, what are some ways to maximize it easily? Read more...