Retail and merchandising design is really an activity that combines a unique set of design and marketing functions. Wikipedia defines it as, "Retail design is primarily a specialized practice of architecture and interior design; however it also incorporates elements of interior decoration, graphic design, ergonomics, and advertising." Mastering five fundamental "How" hurdles will get a project off to a solid start. By Ed Abell, Frank Mayer and Associates, Inc (FMA)

Boosting your transactional messages is an easy way to gain untapped revenue. As one of the most underutilized opportunities in marketing, retailers review this timely and relevant channel to build loyalty and increase orders. So what should your strategy be as the holiday season approaches and we head into the New Year? The most important component to a successful transactional messaging strategy is to remember the goal of the message and to create an experience that keeps your customers engaged. By Sally Lowery, Bronto Software

With a declining economy as backdrop, the Global Retail Theft Barometer 2009 reports that retail shrink in North America rose 8.1 percent to $114.8 billion. This was a reversal in trend and a wake-up call for retailers. By Dave King, Senior Project Leader, Frank Mayer & Associates, Inc.

Part of an entertaining and informative podcast series, this episode features fictitious Director of Supply Chain Isaac Edwards, who consults the Oracle on how to analyze his retail company's inbound freight and determine how and if his company should manage its own inbound freight.

Walter explains the four-level "Kirkpatrick Model" that is commonly used in the evaluation of training programs within the performance and human resources industry. This model is also helpful in the design phase of a program because it can assist you in articulating your program goals in each of the four levels.

There are multiple factors that affect business performance and managers often push on only one or two of them in an effort to improve an employee's performance. In this episode, Walter walks us through eight dimensions or "levers" of performance that must come together for desired behaviors, performance, and results to occur.

Click here to see how one QSR embraced Epson's ReStick label printer, along with Dinerware POS, to enhance customer service, eliminate errors and save on custom packaging.