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This article discusses not only the importance of having proper store layout within the retail industry, but also effective ways in which to employ displays and signage for optimum performance. Can you think of any retailers that have an effective use of store layouts or displays? Can you think of any examples that poorly utilize these attributes?

It's so interesting to think about how all these things in the article play into the store experience. We as customers do not really think about it when we are in the store, but seeing some of the aspects the authors talk about as being important, it is apparent we subconsciously notice. While working at Express, we used point of purchase displays and also a ton of promotion and sales signs. It's cool to see how much impact these little things have on how much customers will buy, etc.

For example, Fossil has a SALE sign outside of the store that generates customers to come into the store. It is an effective way for people to be drawn, and once they are in, the sale is located in the back. That way the customer has to walk through the entire store before seeing markdown items. The layout will describe the ease of walking through the store for customers and how organized they are which I believe are important to focus on.

Green Mountain Coffee is opening a Keurig Store to hopefully get to know more about their customers and offer on site demos, special promotions, new product offerings, and unique accessories for the Keurig to customers

This is an interesting strategy for Keurig. Like Lindsey mentioned, it'll be interesting to see how this effects the companies over all sales. Although the venture will provide fantastic PR, the question is whether he gains will outweigh the costs. I agree with Lindsey again though, it is likely that a majority if the visitors will be non-existing customers, of whom will leave with a positive experience and thus opt to buy a Keurig machine of their own. It will also be interesting to see the "accessories" that will be available for sale. These products would appeal to the existing customers, but would also highlight their need to "update" their Keurig models and thus consume more of the brands products. It would be great to see Keurig develop their "eco-friendly" line a bit further. It consists of k-cups that are recycle friendly. Ufortunately these products are quite a bit more expensive, a problem Keurig is already facing; making products more available to a larger demographic.

This article was fascinating to me! This is another example of how companies who used to be primarily product only or even online only want customer feedback and input. I think the idea is great - to let people use the machine to see how it works and how it can work in their everyday lives. But the location 14 miles outside Boston is a little far away I feel. I hope it is successful - already the outside looks sleek, classy, and expensive and I think the design alone with get people into the door to explore the concept. Since their goal isn't to sell, sell, sell but rather to experience and learn from consumers, I think it will work. But I do agree in this still tight economy, going to your local Walmart or Bed, Bath, and Beyond to buy the same coffee pods is realistic.

This article discuses the future of retailing for AT&T specifically for brick-and-mortar locations. Their new store design will offer highly personalized services, solutions - not transactions, and emotionally engaging experiences.

I like the idea of the reps having tablets and their not being a counter between the customer and the rep. It would feel so much more friendly. I kind of want to go to the store next time I'm up that way. I think it is a good idea.

Great article! My article is also discussing omni-channel retailing and I really do think this is where retail is heading and think it is going to greatly improve overall customer experience!

Finish Line is has jumped on the trend that I think will ultimately be a benefit them, mobile check out. It takes the hassle of lines out of shopping, and like I commented on a different post, the less time you spend in line the more time you spend looking around the store. More time shopping will equal more products purchased.

I agree with Brock. Nike has their own customization, I think now its time for the store to start doing that. I think this would improve sales because when I got my shoes I went to Nike's site so I could customize the shoes to how I wanted since it was only like $10 more to have them exactly how I wanted them.

This is really cool what they are doing! I'm curious as to if they had a issue with lines in their stores or if they are working on simply improving customer service.

This is another fantastic article discussing the different types of store layouts and examples of how they are used. Try and think of an example of a store that uses each different type of layout - you might need it for our discussion!

This article was really interesting. I have never really considered how stores are set up to make sure I am viewing the post product. Stores use the layout and really consider product placement and register placement in order to make sure that customers are having the optimal experience when in store. It would be interesting to see how smaller retailers consider their stores.

White paper: Designing an Effective Omnichannel In-store Experience: 5 Key Considerations

This article describes the luxury bag price points.  Everlane chose to use a pricing strategy of around $400 compared to bags $1000 in this category. They can offer these prices by "cutting out middle men like retailers, operation on modest budgets..". However, the big issue is convincing its customers that the quality is still there. Everlane also mentions they will not do discounts because of the customer sensitivity. 

I personally believe that Everlane's strategies are not only a fantastic approach at growing their consumer base, confidence and improving their brand image, but will also allow them to gradually squeeze in to compete with the handbag 'titans' - if you will. By eliminating excess costs and utilizing a penetration pricing method, not only will they be able to target a larger market that can afford their products, but they will also be displaying that they can compete with the other big name brands on the basis of quality alone.

I think the bags Everlane is selling at reasonable prices for this quality will pay off for them. I see this as a JCPenney type idea under Ron Johnson: selling items at good quality without sales or discounts. That way people will understand how Everlane is trying to give the customer the savings by cutting out the middle man/retailers to give customers the savings. If money grew on trees and I wasn't a broke college student, I would LOVE to buy one of those bags. To know it could sell at an upscale retailer for close to half the price with similar quality is great for the customer's piece of mind!

I think it is great that Macy's is renovating it's iconic Manhattan store. Macy's used to only be found in New York - the iconic shopping experience with one of the largest department stores in the world. Now that Macy's is everywhere (having bought out all the regional department chains) there isn't as much reason to go to the main New York location if it's just another Macy's. They are continuing to innovate and make it a reason to come and visit - with restaurants, marble flooring, etc. It's a special place and they are bringing back it's original luster with a 21st century upgrade! I'm anxious to hear feedback about the new look after it's completed in 2015!

Be sure to watch the video in this article on how this AR app is going to work.

I think this is an amazing concept! Now not only have they made online shopping more fun and interactive but it is also a much more efficient way of shopping for the right piece of furniture. You no longer have to worry about taking measurements or samples to make sure the furniture matches up with the room. Instead, you can virtually place the chosen piece right in the room with accurate measurements and design and see how it looks before even buying it!

This app seems super exciting. I love rearranging and decorating my own room and this app allows for people to physically see an idea on a screen that was originally just a vision. It is great to see how more and more companies are integrating omni-channel retailing to improve the customer experience whether it be online, in store, and mobile.

This article has great content about how marketers can master the consumer decision process. The article was written about a year ago, but the information is still very relevant and provides helpful tips on how to be most effective in this area as a marketer.

I would have to agree with Megan on this point. There is a statistic somewhere that identifies the average amount of time a person spends actually observing an ad, and in that tiny time frame, there is no way you could pull away all the information many ads are trying to convey. This is why there is a great push these days towards image messaging as opposed to textual advertisements

Although this article is titled, "Forget Engagement, Customers want Simplicity" I think this article provides an excellent response: http://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerdooley/2012/07/03/ikea-effect/ Although it was written a little over a year ago, I think it makes a pressing point. Simplicity is good, but too much of it and you will push the consumer away. There is a fine line between obligating the customer to be overly involved in the decision making process, but we need to remember to leverage their spending power. Consumers feel confident about their purchased because THEY chose to purchase it, not because it was pushed into their faces. Marketers need to remember the value the customer receives from the invested interest in the product. Although simplicity is an efficient and beneficial advantage, it limits personal investment into a product which intern negatively affects the value it holds in the consumers mind.

Wow - absolutely loved this article! Even though it started with discussing the death Rosaila Mera, the article totally turned the bad news around and focused on 6 amazing facts about Zara. I think this article did a great job of turning the upsetting news into something that left a positive outlook on Zara.

Yes, Zara is another example for a brand which made it without spectacular advertisement to the top of the world. I have the feeling in Europe (or at least Germany and the Netherlands) Zara is even bigger. It is one of the few apparel brands which we talk about in class that I actually know. I do agree that the design of a lot of apparels in the store looks similar to other known brands, though.

This is really interesting! It really highlights the importance of PR for a company and how placement in a highly visible can really increase company sales and provide marketing for a company at little to no cost.