Delhaize Unit Launches Ecommerce Banner In Romania

Mega Image, the Romanian subsidiary of Belgium-based retailer Delhaize, launched a grocery ecommerce banner in partnership with eMAG. Offering a full range of supermarket products numbering around 7,500 SKU’s, the online store also sells non-food products, such as consumer electronics. Romania’s ecommerce market, dominated by retailers, including Cora, Metro Cash & Carry, and Carrefour, is among the most competitive markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

"Delhaize Launches Grocery E-Commerce in Romania", Retail Analysis, August 26, 2014

CVS Caremark Adopts Mobile As Platform To Expand Pharmacy Business

CVS Caremark is relying on mobile technology in its efforts to expand its pharmacy business, according to chief digital officer Brian Tilze. In an interview with Mobile Commerce Daily, Tilze said mobile will help the company enable customers to access all its services whenever, wherever, and however they want. Its CVS/pharmacy Mobile app, for example, comes with Pill Identifier and Drug Interaction Checker features. Tilze described his company’s biggest opportunity in mobile is pushing for integration and personalization of the “pharmacy and retail experiences,” making it easier for customers to stay healthy.

"CVS Caremark bets on mobile innovation to extend stores’ reach", Mobile Commerce Daily, August 26, 2014

Amazon Plans To Test Drone Delivery Service In India

Amazon plans to test its drone delivery service in India, according to media reports. With fewer regulations covering unmanned aerial devices, India is deemed more attractive as a test site for the delivery service earlier proposed by the online retailer for US customers. Designed to deliver packages immediately and doing without the need for conventional shipping services, Amazon’s Prime Air drone service failed to launch due to various regulatory issues, including airspace safety, communications frequencies, and privacy. Amazon aims to launch the service before the Diwali festival, which starts in October and is an importance shopping holiday in India.

"Amazon may be flying to India to test drone deliveries", Fortune, August 20, 2014

Tesco Launches In-Store Pickup Service For Click-And-Collect Shoppers In London

Tesco began pilot testing click-and-collect lockers at two stores in Greater London area. The first stores in the UK to offer the service, the Yiewsley and Bromley locations will each feature 40 lockers. According to the retailer, the service will allow shoppers to collect online orders from the lockers with security codes Tesco sent them via SMS messages to their mobile phones, with orders placed before 3:00pm available for pickup on the following day.

"Tesco launches click-and-collect locker pilot in two London stores", Retail Week, August 18, 2014

French Personal Care Brands Need To Enhance Consumers' Online Shopping Experience, Report Says

In France, 34 percent of shoppers claim online stores lack information about products and services, according to business intelligence firm L2’s Digital IQ Index Personal Care France report. Data revealed personal care brands are investing heavily on content in order to address the issue. Also, 75 percent of brand sites include videos and 86 percent offer product information. According to the report, however, most brands lag in creating a seamless online shopping experience by combining information with buying steps.

"French Personal Care Sites: Content Without Direction", L2 Think Tank, August 27, 2014

Amazon Expands China Operations By Setting Up Facilities In Shanghai Free Trade Zone

Amazon.com, Inc. is expanding its operations in China by establishing its presence in the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone. Based on its deal with the zone operator, Shanghai Information Investment Inc., Amazon will set up its China headquarters in the free trade zone. Also, the company hopes its move will enable it to increase its customer base in the country. Amazon will also establish a warehouse so it can increase exports from Chinese companies, Shanghai Municipal said. Amazon, however, faces strong competition from Alibaba’s ecommerce stores Tmall and Taobao.

"Amazon Ramps Up China Presence", Bidness, August 20, 2014

Alda Reports Slight Like-For-Like Sales Growth, Strong Gains In Market Share

Alda reported like-for-like sales grew 0.5 percent for the second quarter of 2014. Also, Walmart’s UK business unit’s grew its share of the UK retail market, which has been characterized by difficult trading conditions, by 14bps year on year. Asda president and CEO Andy Clarke said his company had quickly recognized the “structural changes” happening in the retail market and promptly set out to deal with them with its five-year strategy launched in November 2013. Also noteworthy is the retailer’s success in expanding its share of the online market to 18.4 percent, driven by the expansion of its Click and Collect program, which currently accounts for 10 percent of all online orders and used by more than 20,000 customers each week.

"Asda announces Q2 2014 financial results - continued sales growth ahead of the market", Asda, August 14, 2014

Wal-Mart Seeks Growth In China's Ecommerce Market

Yihaodian, majority owned by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is moving to expand its online retail operations in China. As part of its expansion moves, the online retailer increased the number of products it sells on its website, expanded its supply chain, and improved the usability of its mobile site to increase sales. Wal-Mart looks at online retail as a means of achieving growth in the country, something that it has so far failed to achieve with its brick-and-mortar business in China. Yihaodian, however, needs to compete with Alibaba, which accounted for more than half of the country’s online business-to-consumer market as of the second quarter in 2014.

"Wal-Mart Looks Online for Chinese Growth", Wall Street Journal, August 28, 2014

Burger King Offers Free Android Phones To Promote Digital Coupon App

Burger King launched its mobile coupon app in the United States. To promote the digital coupon application and encourage consumers to download the app, the fast food chain is offering a free Android smartphone. Customers can avail themselves of the free Android handset, available from leading wireless operators by keying in the code FREEPHONE at the checkout counter.

"Burger King ups ante on promoting apps with smartphone offer", Mobile Commerce Daily, August 26, 2014