RPW 5-12-09

Retail Paradox Weekly

Retail News Analysis by RSR Research

May 12, 2009

A Self-Service Stress Test for Retailers

By Brian Kilcourse, Managing Partner
5/12/2009

The U.S. Treasury Department issued guidance to banks last week based on the results of the “stress test” that was applied to those operations. With the tests, the U.S. government sought to identify actions that the banks would need to take to ensure they can survive even if the unemployment rate rises above 10% and home prices fall by another 25% from their February 2009 levels.

At least one of those measures is getting perilously close... More

Digital Signage Convergence: Mobile, Interactive, and Measured

By Nikki Baird, Managing Partner
5/12/2009

At KioskCom last week, the show within the show was the "Digital Signage Show," but the content seemed at least as important as anything presented as part of the main event. When you consider that many retailers still feel burned by past kiosk implementations that went awry - to the point where the word "kiosk" is still taboo internally - retail media networks (aka digital signage) offer a way forward with screens in stores that can ultimately be everything the dreaded "kiosk" has promised: interactive, multi-purpose communication points with shoppers in the store.

But retail media networks... More

eCommerce: Fresh Data from the Vault

By Steve Rowen, Managing Partner

5/12/2009

One of the most frequent things we hear expressed from our readers out on the show and conference circuit is their surprise at how abundant our output has been for the past two years. It’s always nice to hear how our research has helped a member of the extended retail industry in their day-to-day, and as we take a look at the coming research calendar, this summer will prove to be one of our busiest times yet.

But amidst the constant release of new content, there is one report that may have slipped your attention... More