NRF Forms CRM Retail Network
The National Retail Federation formed a retail CRM networking group last month to address customer relationship management topics. The group, which has no formal name yet, incorporates the CRM Idea Network, a group of CRM practitioners who meet regularly via conference call to discuss CRM issues.Tim Anglum, director of CRM systems at Best Buy, founded the Idea Network in April 2001. As of this summer, it had grown to 20 members, including representatives from Musicland, Marshall Fields, REI, Toys 'R' Us, Staples, Saks and Hudson's Bay. Anglum chairs the group.
In the year ahead, the NRF said, the group plans conference calls to discuss issues such as privacy, data collection and e-mail marketing initiatives as they relate to CRM. The group also may have a gathering this summer. The NRF will administrate for the group, such as coordinating conference calls, planning conferences and handling membership. Membership is free, but participants must be NRF members.
