Engaging Customers Anywhere

By RIS Editors
Are you a channel-agnostic retailer? That was the dominant question and theme examined at the third-annual Cross-Channel Executive Summit, hosted by RIS from September 30 to October 2 at the Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina.

Beginning with the opening session, which debuted key findings from the just-released AMR/RIS Cross-Channel Retail Technology Study, to the closing session, which was titled What's the Buzz in Cross Channel Retailing?, 70 multi-channel retailers took part in an intimate, interactive, content-rich conference.

Retailers on the agenda who brought their leading-edge perspective to highly rated sessions included: Sears, 1-800-FLOWERS, Charlotte Russe, True Religion, PETCO, Sephora and Sports Chalet. 

Recognized industry experts who inspired new ideas and solutions included: Janet Sherlock of AMR, Paula Rosenblum of RSR Research, Kevin Ertell of Foresee Results, and Susan Aldrich of Patricia Seybold Group. 

Ted Jackson (top left), VP of IT and CIO, Sport Chalet and Mike Matacunas, CEO, Parker Avery Group take a break between sessions. Brian Clausen (top right), SVP, e-commerce strategy, Shopatron, Kathleen Ford, director of store applications, Sephora USA, Robert Bacchi, VP information technology, FAO Schwarz and Sean Collier, COO & CIO, Shopatron meet during the Strategic Solutions Spotlight. Dave Weinand (middle left), publisher, RIS News and Giri Durbhakula, VP of IT, Charlotte Russe engage the audience with an informative cross-channel talk show. Ashley Arhart (middle right), design director & retail strategist, Hornall Anderson shares insights on how retailers can "explode" the store walls. Heading to a session (bottom) is Glynn Jordan, VP online systems, Blockbuster, Michael Debnar, VP of retail systems, Blockbuster, Calvin Hollinger, CIO, Urban Outfitters and Cliff March, VP of applications, Cost Plus World Market.