More Retail In Depth

First look: Google Wallet lets you tap 'n' spend

Google's smartphone payment app, Google Wallet, has brought the ease of paying for goods with the tap of a phone to America.

The Art & Science of Fashion

Predictive analytic tools, which rely on historical data to make future demand projections for any given product, can play a role even in predicting the whims of fashion. But right now, the hottest area for picking fashion winners lies at the intersection of analytics and social media.

A tale of two Apple Stores (the first two)

It was the spring of 2001--a year that had not yet turned sour beyond belief--when Apple chose to open its very first two retail stores. These two would be the first of some 25 stores opening later in the year. And in the years to come, they would be only two of over 300.

Visual tour: Top selling or innovative gadgets from holidays past

While this holiday season's biggest gifts will be e-readers, tablet computers and games, such as Call of Duty, Black Ops, those products were built off the back of forty years of innovation. Take a look back at some of the biggest breakthroughs in technology and biggest selling holiday gifts.

The retail paradox

The industry that often lags in infosecurity is setting the pace in providing business intelligence

Barnaby Jack hits ATM jackpot at Black Hat

Barnaby Jack hit the jackpot at Black Hat on Wednesday. Twice.

Elgan: 10 things that won't survive the recession

Recessions help put the focus on what's really important and accelerate the demise of technologies and companies that are obsolete, says Columnist Mike Elgan. Here's his list of what won't make it.

Retailers reprogram workers in efficiency push

Retailers have turned to computer programs that dictate which employees should work when, and for how long. The retailers say the systems improve efficiency and sales, but not all employees like them.

FAQ: XP deathwatch, T minus 4 weeks

At the end of the month, Microsoft will require mainstream computer makers to stop selling new PCs with Windows XP and will cease shipping boxed copies to retailers.

Q&A: Head of PCI council sees security standard as solid, despite breaches

Bob Russo, general manager of the PCI Security Standards Council, spoke with Computerworld about the organization's current thinking on the PCI standard, what's changed since he took the helm in 2007, and what he makes so far of the Hannaford and Okemo data breaches.

Indie coffeehouses tell Starbucks: Bring on your free Wi-Fi

Starbucks' new conversion to free Wi-Fi for the sipping masses is great for consumers, but not particularly threatening to the smaller chains and indie coffee shops already offering service on their own terms.

Q&A: New technologies pose online privacy uncertainties, Rotenberg claims

In a recent interview, privacy advocate Marc Rotenberg said it isn't clear how government agencies or companies will use the personal data that they collect via things such as identity and shopping courtesy cards.

Q&A: Craig Newmark, of 'Craigslist' fame, looks back -- and ahead

A dozen years ago, when Craig Newmark started sending out e-mails to friends about local events in San Francisco, he didn't realize his idea would grow into what is now Craigslist.

Hi-def for the holidays? 10 top players to consider

Whether you go with Blu-ray or HD DVD, high-definition DVD players abound this year. Here's a look at 10 players to keep in mind if you're buying one over the holiday season.

A back-to-the-future strategy for software as a service

Santa's delivering a lot of "empty boxes" this year, as software as a service makes a surprising run up the retail greatest-hits charts for December.

Computer forensics in the age of compliance

In the fourth article of his "...in the age of compliance" series, Anton Chuvakin examines how HIPAA, FISMA and PCI-DSS regulations address computer forensics issues.

FAQ: What Visa's payment application security mandates mean

The companies that accept payment card transactions will eventually have to play by new rules being laid down by Visa to bolster data security.

DBAs reveal how they rev their database without spending a fortune

Database administrators have a flock of new products to choose from right now, but hardware problems and glitches elsewhere in the system can negate version improvements. Computerworld talked to DBAs balancing the new products with the old realities.

Spying at Wal-Mart: Human nature run amok?

Does the Wal-Mart eavesdropping debacle have the potential to be this year's HP scandal? A former IT security staffer for the retailer evaluates what might have happened.

Retailer CompUSA to offer NetSuite's hosted software