Mary Portas: A Woman’s Apparel Shop That Is Right on Target

Posted on August 27, 2012 by bermanevansretail
Watch this video with Mary Portas who describes her very appealing merchandising philosophy, her emphasis on customer service, and her use of experiential retailing.

 

 

Posted in Retail Executive Interviews, Video Clips (non-career) | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Boom in Location Tagging: An Opportunity for Retailers

Posted on August 27, 2012 by bermanevansretail
It is certainly time for retailers to better understand how people are using location tagging via their mobile devices — and to act appropriately in driving more of those people to their stores.
As reported by eMarketer: “Mobile audience media company JiWire found that, among users of mobile Wi-Fi hotspots in quarter 2, 2012, more than six in 10 tagged their social media status updates, photo uploads, or other posts with their location. Facebook was the most popular social network among all respondents, with 91%  using it, and 88% of that group said they location-tagged posts. More than seven in 10 Google+ users said the same, as did 68% of Twitter users and 60% of Instagram users. Demographic and behavioral profiles of those who location-tagged posts on the social sites varied in several ways.”
For the full eMarketer story, click the chart.

 

 

Posted in Online Retailing, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 4: Store Location Planning, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer, Social Media and Retailing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Will Intel’s Magic Mirror Change Apparel Shopping?

Posted on August 26, 2012 by bermanevansretail
Intel is widely recognized for the microchips that are used in computers and other high-tech products around the world. But did you know that it is also involved with a number of other emerging innovations, such as its Magic Mirror?
As reported by Jon Swartz for USA Today: “Nola Donato has seen the future of retail, and it is in a Magic Mirror. The Intel scientist has designed a high-tech mirror that shows how clothes look on a consumer who simply stands in front of an LCD monitor. Parametric technology simulates body type and how fabrics fit — based on weight, height, and measurements. Think of it as a digital fitting room. The concept is three to five years from fruition but could open the door for Intel in the retail market.”
In the video clip below from Intel Labs, Donato demonstrates the Magic Mirror and shows how it utilizes a realistic consumer avatar that can dress in the latest fashions. The 3D avatar tracks a person’s movements in real time and can change the dimensions of the body using gestures.

 

 

Posted in Global Retailing, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 6: Merchandise Management and Pricing, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer, Technology in Retailing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments