Just about everyone is talking about the new hook up between Target and Facebook.

Target is rolling out Cartwheel, a service that pairs a social network with “deal” pricing. Target’s new program (about a year in development) relies on customers using their Facebook accounts to select the deals they want online. But, the payoff is actually in-store, when the customer presents a barcode (either on paper or mobile screen) at a bricks-and-mortar Target to get the special offer pricing. It grows more “social” when a shopper can see what offers their FB friends have chosen, while claiming them generates automatic News Feed posts on Facebook (unless the user turns them off). Continue reading →

Like this is a newsflash (?): Women are increasingly shopping online, but still make purchases in a store. (Note Diva J’s April 10 post.)

But, here are some stats to back up what we already suspected, plus a few more nuggets from the second annual “SheSpeaks/Lippe Taylor Women’s Buying Behavior Index.” The study collected the responses of 2,152 women over the past two months to get a handle on buying habits and forecast purchasing trends of American women.

Among the findings: When asked which method they use most to research products, 71 percent chose laptops, 18 percent selected mobile/tablet, while 6 percent preferred browsing in a store. Continue reading →

Amidst the rain, the busy Chicago streets and the hustle and bustle of GlobalShop, I find many people looking for a moment to catch their breath. This need for a little peace and quiet or  a minute of calm amidst the chaos was brought up during several sessions.

The trend was referred to as “Simplicity” by Christian Davies, executive creative director at Americas FITCH, and as “Quietude” by Nicole Guarascio, Trend Specialist for Stylesight.

Davies discussed all the “stuff” we have in our lives and our constant connection to the world through our technological devices. Interestingly, his research revealed that people aren’t overwhelmed by the quantity of information–It is finding the quality information within the clutter that is a challenge. Continue reading →

Do you need help training shoppers how to buy? During the GlobalShop keynote session on Monday, April 16^th, Herb Sorensen, Ph.D. said that training shoppers is not the problem.  “The reality is there are problems with the way people try to sell.”

Continue reading →

The Retail Design Diva is officially in Chicago for GlobalShop 2013, taking place this week April 16-18! Woo hoo! The Diva and her friends at DDI Magazine will be roaming the show floor—from conference sessions to exhibitor booths to parties and everywhere else in between. We’ll be blogging LIVE from the show all three days about the latest retail design musings, hottest products and attendee opinions. No detail shall go uncovered as we scour the show for interesting and exciting speakers, products and conference sessions.

If you’ll be at GlobalShop too, check back here for live updates and get the inside scoop of must-sees! Continue reading →