Mobile Marketing

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Mobile retail navigation service aisle411 said Tuesday that it is rolling out its virtual mapping and navigation smartphone app for use in Walgreens’ 7,907 drug stores nationwide.

The service will allow Walgreens shoppers to use their smartphones to view maps of any Walgreens store and to locate products down to a particular section of each aisle.

Walgreens is the first national retailer with all of its stores mapped in a mobile application.

Armonk, N.Y. -- Mobile shopping rose in the second quarter while social media sales fell, providing an indication of where U.S. retailers may invest in order to capture the attention and loyalty of the digital consumer, according to a new report from IBM.

The IBM Retail Online Index, a cloud-based analysis of the online retail sector, reported that retailers experienced 15% growth in sales from mobile devices but saw a 20% decline in sales traced to social media based on a much smaller base over this three-month period.

ARMONK, N.Y. — Retailers that want to grow sales and improve customer loyalty would be wise to invest in mobile shopping. According to a new report from IBM, retailers experienced 15% growth in sales from mobile devices. Conversely, sales traced to social media were down 20%.

By Dr. Gary Edwards, Empathica

Recently, online fashion retailer Piperlime announced plans to open its first brick-and-mortar location in New York City. For many, the announcement seemed to fly in the face of conventional wisdom given the competitive pricing and other advantages e-commerce providers have over traditional retailers.

Why would a successful e-tailer like Piperlime want to take on the additional cost and headaches associated with a physical store?

Framingham, Mass. -- When comparing social media investment to other emerging technology areas, retailers more than any other industry are making strong investments, according to a new study by International Data Corp.

ATLANTA — Coca-Cola is giving fans a chance to get an insider's look at Team USA through its London 2012 Olympic Games campaign.

Inland Diversified Real Estate Services said it has launched a new mobile application designed to enhance customer engagement and retention and interaction with retailers at University Town Center, a neighborhood shopping center in Norman, Okla., that is owned by Inland Diversified Real Estate Trust.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. has launched a charitable initiative, called jcp cares, that will support a new cause each month by inviting customers to round up their purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the company's featured charity partner. The retailer will join its customers in giving back by making a contribution to its charity partner each month.

The program will be supported by a robust, integrated marketing campaign which will include digital, social, mobile, in-store and direct mail and e-mail components.