Test Your Retail Innovation IQ

1. Who uses a "Twelpforce" for customer service on Twitter?

Overstock.com

Best Buy

Mrs. Prindable's

Best Buy bowed its "Twelpforce" of Tweet-empowered customer services representatives in advance of Christmas 2009. The force is staffed by existing Best Buy employees - over 2000 of 'em.

Explanation

Best Buy bowed its "Twelpforce" of Tweet-empowered customer services representatives in advance of Christmas 2009. The force is staffed by existing Best Buy employees - over 2000 of 'em.

2. When were life-sized mannequins first used in retail?

Mid 1600s

Early 1700s

Late 1800s

Early 1900s

It was the advent of plate glass windows that gave rise to the retail mannequin, in the 1880s.

Explanation

It was the advent of plate glass windows that gave rise to the retail mannequin, in the 1880s.

3. Which of the following stores was the first to experiment with a storefront on Facebook?

1-800-FLOWERS.com

GAP

Starbucks

1-800-FLOWERS.com bowed a functional e-commerce storefront on its Facebook fan page in July 2009. The page currently has over 50,000 fans.

Explanation

1-800-FLOWERS.com bowed a functional e-commerce storefront on its Facebook fan page in July 2009. The page currently has over 50,000 fans.

4. How large were mobile commerce revenues in the US in 2009?

Over $10 million

Over $100 million

Over $1 billion

Over $10 billion

Different research companies peg the number at slightly different totals, as is always the case. But whether it's $1.01 billion or $1.4 billion, it's officially no longer an "emerging" market.

Explanation

Different research companies peg the number at slightly different totals, as is always the case. But whether it's $1.01 billion or $1.4 billion, it's officially no longer an "emerging" market.

5. Which of the following US department stores was the first to open?

Marshall Field & Company

Wanamaker's

Lord & Taylor

Macy's

Macy's was the of these choices to open, in 1858. But the distinction of the very first US department store goes to The Marble Palace in NYC in 1846.

Explanation

Macy's was the of these choices to open, in 1858. But the distinction of the very first US department store goes to The Marble Palace in NYC in 1846.

6. In what year was the first Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog mailed?

1862

1888

1893

1930

The first Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalog was mailed in 1893. The other dates are also significant though. The Homestead Act of 1862 entitled catalogs to use the burgeoning mail infrastructure at a rate of $.01 per pound. 1888 was the date of the first Sears Watch Company printed mailer, a pre-cursor to the company's iconic catalog. And 1930? Why that was the first year customers could purchase live baby chickens through the Sears catalog, of course.

Explanation

The first Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalog was mailed in 1893. The other dates are also significant though. The Homestead Act of 1862 entitled catalogs to use the burgeoning mail infrastructure at a rate of $.01 per pound. 1888 was the date of the first Sears Watch Company printed mailer, a pre-cursor to the company's iconic catalog. And 1930? Why that was the first year customers could purchase live baby chickens through the Sears catalog, of course.

7. What is the world's largest retail store?

Macy's (New York City, USA)

Shinsegae Centumcity Department Store (Busan, South Korea)

Le Bon Marche (Paris, France)

Harrod's (London, England)

Macy's was the largest until the Shinsegae Centumcity Store usurped the title when it opened in 2009, besting the size of Macy's by over a million square feet. Le Bon Marche holds the distinction of being the oldest department store in the world, but is not one of the largest. Harrod's is neither in the hunt for oldest or largest, but it's a pretty unique place nonetheless.

Explanation

Macy's was the largest until the Shinsegae Centumcity Store usurped the title when it opened in 2009, besting the size of Macy's by over a million square feet. Le Bon Marche holds the distinction of being the oldest department store in the world, but is not one of the largest. Harrod's is neither in the hunt for oldest or largest, but it's a pretty unique place nonetheless.

8. According to the Deloitte / STORES Media annual Global Powers of Retailing study, exactly how many retailers worldwide did over $100 billion ($US) in sales in 2008?

0

2

5

7

13

Walmart (US) and Carrefour (France).

Explanation

Walmart (US) and Carrefour (France).