Samantha Murphy

Articles by this author:

  • An Online “Want” List (In This Issue)
    Wed, 12/21/2011 - 4:52pm

    Move over, “Like” button. There’s a new feature on the social media block that makes it easy for retailers to know what shoppers really want.

  • Focus on: Social Media (In This Issue)
    Fri, 11/18/2011 - 12:24pm

    Retailers have pulled out the stops this holiday season, especially when it comes to experimenting with cutting-edge digital technologies. But innovation shouldn’t be reserved for the holidays — it is something that should be infused into the shopping experience all year long.

  • Focus on: E-commerce
 (In This Issue)
    Mon, 10/24/2011 - 5:31am

    Christmas may be right around the corner, but retailers can still do a lot in the final weeks leading up to the big day by making last-minute tweaks that can impact how and where consumers shop this season. Thanks to the flexibility of the Web, e-commerce, mobile and social networking channels are rich with opportunities for retailers to lure shoppers in and keep them coming back for more.


  • Focus on: Social Media
 (Exclusive News Alert, In This Issue)
    Wed, 04/13/2011 - 8:32am

    As merchants big and small still try to figure out how to best use Facebook, a few major trends have surfaced, including some that could potentially shape the future of e-commerce. 


    One of the fastest-growing trends among retailers on Facebook is also the most simple: posting contests and promotions. In fact, Walmart’s Facebook site grew by 1 million “fans” in the first quarter of 2011 by running contests and offering deals.


  • Checkouts Go Digital 
 (Exclusive News Alert, In This Issue)
    Wed, 04/13/2011 - 8:29am

    Retailers over the years have created smartphone apps to help shoppers find stores, research products and look up reviews. Now merchants are readying for a new app trend that is expected to take the industry by storm: Paying for in-store purchases via mobile devices.

    
Seattle-based Starbucks is leading the way by allowing customers to check out with select handheld devices, from the Blackberry to the iPhone and iPod Touch.


  • The Need for Speed (In This Issue)
    Sun, 10/31/2010 - 8:00pm

    Retailers are investing time and money to create online shopping experiences that mirror real-world...

  • Social Media Sites Not All Equal (In This Issue)
    Thu, 09/30/2010 - 8:00pm

    Retailers have long felt the pressure to get in on the social media game....

  • When Bedbugs Bite (In This Issue)
    Thu, 09/30/2010 - 8:00pm

    In July, Abercrombie & Fitch’s Hollister store in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood closed for several...

  • Handling Holiday Stress (In This Issue)
    Tue, 08/31/2010 - 8:00pm

    Retailers spend countless hours planning and executing strategies to lure shoppers to their sites...

  • Bridging the Multichannel Silos (In This Issue)
    Tue, 08/31/2010 - 8:00pm

    ...