June 27 - Activision earned strong retail support this month for Guitar Hero on Tour, a new version of its wildly successful videogame franchise produced exclusively for the Nintendo DS game system.

June 26 - Best Buy is taking its Reward Zone loyalty program to a new level by upgrading top customers to "Premier Silver" status.

Our report on activity at native retailers and such foreign chains as Wal-Mart, Tesco, Carrefour, Best Buy and Toys "R" Us includes more than 250 images of merchandising and marketing activity.

A case study from the Promotion Marketing Association's 2008 Reggie Awards

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.