Influx Insights: Influx has written in the past about variable pricing models and how these might one day become a key component of business, we have now found an interesting example in a new music site called Amie Street. This independent music site uses demand-driven pricing; where the community dictates the pricing of the tracks. All tracks start out at […]

Times Online: The nostrils of consumers are to be assailed with a wave of artificial odours designed to lull them into parting with their money. The smells, pumped into shops and the foyers of hotels, range from melon, which psychologists have found induces feelings of friendliness, to figs, said to be welcoming, and the invigorating whiff of lemons. “Scent branding” […]

KioskMarketplace: Calling Get & Go Express an “unmanned c-store” might be a bit misleading. It not only doesn’t have a staff, but the goods are all stocked in machines facing outward. What’s more, it doesn’t have tobacco, alcohol, gas or lotto tickets — c-store staples. And its profit margins are even more distinct from its traditional cousin. Founder Jeff Parsons […]

CNN: It looks almost like any other shopping cart, except sensors let it follow the shopper around the supermarket and slow down when needed so items can be placed in it. And it never crashes into anyone’s heels. “The immediate thing that jumped to my mind was all those times as a kid when my sister would accidentally hit me […]

SFLORG.com: Researchers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)’s Institute of Textiles and Clothing have recently developed “An intelligent Simulator for Cross-selling & Up-selling using Smart Fitting Room & Smart Dressing Mirror”. It is envisaged to help fashion retailers boost business volume by improving sales and customer services. This system uses the technology of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to detect […]

SiteKreator: SiteKreator was designed to help businesses accelerate brand recognition, build customer loyalty, and increase sales by giving them a one-stop solution to easily create stylish, interactive, and effective Web sites. SiteKreator is a fully-hosted online application that eliminates the need to download, install, or upgrade software. Prior to SK Business Edition, customers would either hire a designer or agency, […]

Springwise: Remember Norwegian ‘Paraplyselskapet AS’, who came up with the world’s first fully connected umbrella vending machines? Well, Springwise guess they hit a bit of a rainy spot (maybe it was their name?), as the company is basically inactive these days. So bad idea, end of story? Not really: UK-based Umbrolly has resurrected the concept, and is busy installing machines […]

Springwise: We don’t mind spelling it out again: in an age of abundance, curators rule! Riding the CURATED CONSUMPTION trend in all its glory is Japanese Ranking Ranqueen, a Tokyo chain selling only the top 3, 5 or 10 items in a bewildering range of categories. Rankings are based on sales data from big Tokyo department stores and independent research. […]

deepikaglobal.com: The consumer-friendly website mouthshut.com is planning to launch a blogging space for the corporates to contact or respond to their consumers directly. This will allow a two-way interaction between customers and corporates about complaints, new products, services and mass clarifications, mouthshut.com CEO Faisal Farooqui told UNI. Mr Farooqui said, most people buy goods on recommendations from friends, who do […]

Iconoculture: When wedding guests don’t put out, savvy newlyweds cash in. Retailers are toasting just-marrieds with completion sales – post-honeymoon promotions that let start-up spouses score discounts on un-purchased registry items. Staples like Bloomingdale’s, Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn have all integrated completion programs or events into their pre-wedding registry services. Most post-wedding offers give newlyweds a 10% […]