Mobile phones were utilized by 64% of Gen Y shoppers for in-store shopping-related activities during the recent holiday season, according to a recent Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions annual research study of holiday shoppers. The survey found that consumers across 11 countries turned to their mobile phones for in-store activities spanning multi-channel comparison shopping, peer feedback, product information, and coupons, all signaling the need for retailers to adopt mobile shopper technology strategies to remain competitive.

The growing influence of smartphones continues to re-write the rules of retailing. At this month’s NRF 99th Annual Convention and Expo in New York, literally hundreds of companies debuted mobile solutions designed to tap into the power, functionality and convenience of smartphone’s like the iPhone, Blackberry and Android.

© 2009 Jason Ryan Dorsey, The Gen Y G

For the first time in US history, four distinctly different generations are working side by side. Each of these generations—Gen Y, Generation X, Baby Boomers, and Matures—carries with them their own set of beliefs and values, preferences and priorities. Sometimes these differences work well together (think: Trivial Pursuit teams) and sometimes they simply fail to connect (think: Twittering about your favorite tuna sandwich).

Hot Topic, Inc., a mall and Web-based specialty retailer of apparel and accessories, has implemented NCR Netkey self-service kiosk and digital signage applications. The NCR Netkey solution is a core part of the retailer's digital strategy, including in-store self-service kiosks, e-commerce and Hot Topic's new HT+1 customer loyalty program, which was launched in Nov. 2009.

Genesco Inc., a leading North American shoe and headwear retailer, has successfully upgraded its point-of-sale infrastructure with the Fujitsu TeamPoS® 3000XL2 POS terminals in more than 1,000 stores.

You might notice that department stores, restaurants and grocery stores are beefing up what looks like a store within a store: Peet's Coffee & Tea inside some Raley's grocery stores; Sephora makeup stores inside JCPenney stores; and coming soon, Sunglass Hut stores in Macy's.