Nov. 19 - Circuit City this month began liquidation sales at the 155 stores that it will close before the end of 2008.

Nov. 18 - An interactive endcap display for Fisher-Price's Smart Cycle toy won the "Best of the Times" award in the Institute's annual Design of the Times contest. The display was designed and produced by Darko Inc., Twinsburg, OH.

Best Buy put a new spin on its targeted format last month by opening three Best Buy Mobile mall stores that primarily target on-the-go wome

Pink again coated the merchandising landscape this fall as retailers and manufacturers ran cause-marketing efforts to support October's designation as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Retailers are researching their guests like never before, and CPG brands are expected to tailor displays to these specific shopper profiles.

The Integer Group surveys more than 600 consumers, and finds that in-store marketing plays an important role even when the purchase decision is made away from the store, as effective, informative product displays can lead to significantly higher levels of customer satisfaction.

Kristen des Chatelets of bds mktg discusses the value of "influencing the influencers" -- sale associates -- through training, retail events and and other forms of "people powered" marketing.

Colin Beaton, Watt International's managing director, Middle + Far East, provides a virtual tour of high-end retail designs from Dubai, Delhi, London, Shanghai and Las Vegas.