Amazon Expands Grocery Delivery Service In U.K. December 29, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Amazon has Britain’s Big Four supermarket chains in its sights as it expands the new Pantry delivery service for household goods and groceries. The company, which launched Pantry in November with an inventory of 4,000 brands of food and drink, pet and baby supplies, and health and beauty products, will expand to include new product lines. The products are ordered using a box system and delivered for a flat fee in the U.K. of about £4.41 ($5.99 in the U.S.) for the first 44 pounds order and 99p ($1.50) for each subsequent box. Fresh food is not yet available through pantry in the U.K. Mehreen Khan, "Amazon to expand grocery delivery service", The Telegraph, December 29, 2015, © Telegraph Media Group Limited

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Ocado Shares Tumbles After Amazon's Grocery Expansion Plans In UK December 29, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Shares of stock of online grocery distributor Ocado declined following online retailer Amazon’s announcement of its plan to expand its Pantry grocery delivery service in the UK. Launched in November 2015, Pantry offers customers about 4,000 grocery and household products. Amazon UK chief executive Christopher North said his company plans to add thousands more to its product lineup. "Ocado slides on concerns over Amazon expansion", ShareCast, December 29, 2015, © Digital Look Ltd

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Walgreens Online Store Fastest E-Commerce Site, Catchpoint Systems Survey Reveals December 28, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.’s online store provided customers with the fastest shopping experience in the United States, according to a survey by website monitoring firm Catchpoint Systems. Covering the period November 25 through December 26, 2015, the Internet Retailer 2015 Top 500 Guide survey focused on 23 locations across the country. Results of the study, which measured the load time and availability of online stores on both mobile and desktop, revealed Gap’s store recorded the fastest-loading time for mobile shoppers. Apple Inc.’s store followed Walgreens at second place, with Staples taking the third spot. Sandra Guy, "Walgreens wins as the fastest e-commerce site during the holiday season", Internet Retailer, December 28, 2015, © Vertical Web Media

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Luxury Brands Fail To Offer High-End Online Shopping Experience, Study Reveals December 27, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Luxury beauty brands need to improve their online consumer experience in order to avoid losing customers, according to market research firm ContactLab. Data from the report “Online Purchase Experience Ranking” revealed consumers have “best of online shopping experience” only 50 percent of the time. While some brands extended their “luxury experience” to delivery service and packaging standards, others failed to do so. Results also showed that consumers tended to have better shopping experience when buying from online retailers than when buying from brand owners’ own online stores. "Luxury brands urged to improve online service", Cosmetics Business, December 27, 2015, © HPCi Media Limited

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Kroger Updates Mobile App; Adds New Features For More Convenient Shopping Experience December 23, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Kroger updated its mobile app by adding new features designed to make grocery shopping more convenient and smarter. First launched in 2010, the app has been downloaded on more than 10 million mobile devices and issued more than 2.5 billion digital coupons, the retailer said. Also, the app allows users to scan empty packages at home to add products into their shopping lists. It also informs users of the retailer’s weekly sales and promotion offers, based on their shopping history from their loyalty cards. Alexander Coolidge, "Kroger's app now sorts grocery list by aisle", Cincinnati, December 23, 2015, © www.cincinnati.com

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Target Begins Developing Own Mobile Payment System December 22, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Target Corp. is reportedly developing its own mobile wallet technology. Designed to let shoppers pay for goods using an app on their mobile phones, the planned platform will allow the retailer to compete with rival mobile payment systems, such as the Apple Pay. Target decided to partner with credit card companies and plans to adopt scanning technology to communicate with payment terminals to process transactions. Nandita Bose, "Exclusive: Target in initial development of own mobile wallet – sources", Reuters, December 22, 2015, © Thomson Reuters

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Carrefour Launches E-Commerce Business In Poland December 18, 2015: 12:00 AM EST French retailer Carrefour launched its online business in Poland on December 18, 2015. Designed to complement the company’s existing retail formats, the website will offer about 800 non-food products, including mobile phones, TVs, and laptops. With delivery service costing €2.32, the site offers click-and-collect services only in Krakow. "Carrefour launches online in Poland", Retail Analysis, December 18, 2015, © The Institute of Grocery Distribution

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Online Retailers Have Three Options In Reducing Basket Abandonment Rates, Analysts Say December 14, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Online retailers can adopt three strategies in order to deal with basket abandonment, or shoppers leaving before completing their online transactions. First, online retailers need to be clear and transparent about their delivery service, especially about delivery times and costs. Also, online retailers can encourage shoppers to complete their purchases by offering more delivery options. Finally, offering free delivery can be an effective means of building long-term customer loyalty. Basket abandonment rates can be as high as 80 percent, with the average rate estimated at 67.91 percent, according to market research firm Baymard Institute. Andy Hill, "Three Quick Wins for Reducing Basket Abandonments", Digital Marketing Magazine, December 14, 2015, © Digital Marketing Magazine

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Amazon.in Outshines Other E-commerce Sites In India In October 2015 December 14, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Amazon.in became the most popular online store in India in October 2015, about two and a half years after its launch in the country, according to comScore. Data from the market research firm revealed Amazon’s Indian unit had more than 30 million visitors, an increase of almost 38 percent from the previous month. Also, downloads of the online retailer’s Amazon.in app increased 200 percent year-on-year in October 2015, according to app analytics firm App Annie. "Customers Make Amazon.in Tops in India", Amazon, December 14, 2015, © Amazon.com, Inc.

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Walmart Follows Amazon's Lead In Adjusting Online Prices, 360pi Says December 10, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Walmart has been adjusting its “everyday low prices” strategy to follow online retailer Amazon’s dynamic approach to pricing, an analysis of data from e-commerce market research firm 360pi revealed. Citing figures it collected and analyzed for 2015 Black Friday, 360pi said about 16 percent of Amazon’s prices varied during the shopping event, while around 12 percent of Walmart’s online prices also moved on the same day. In contrast, only about 5 percent of Target’s prices fluctuated during the same period and for most of the month. Kate Kaye, "Walmart's Everyday Low Prices Face Amazon's Dynamic Price Push", Advertising Age, December 10, 2015, © Crain Communications

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Walmart Adds Payment Solution To Its Mobile App December 10, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Walmart has become the only retailer to offer its own smartphone payment solution. The company introduced Walmart Pay, a mobile solution that works with an iOS or Android device, and can be used at any checkout lane, with any major credit card card, debit card, prepaid card or Walmart gift card. To use the app, customers at checkout open the app, select Walmart Pay, activate the phone’s camera, scan the register code, then wait for the clerk to scan the items. An eReceipt is automatically sent. The solution will only be available in a few stores in Arkansas this month, but will be launched nationally in the first half of 2016. The Walmart app is already used by 22,000,000 customers each month. "Walmart Introduces Walmart Pay", New release, Walmart, December 10, 2015, © Walmart

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Millennials In Developed Markets Display Consumption Behaviors Different From Those Of Their Emerging-Market Counterparts December 9, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Millennials in developed countries prefer to rent products, while millennials in developing countries prefer to have actual ownership of goods, according to Euromonitor. According to the market research firm, the global economic downturn of 2008–2009 and its impact on millennial consumers’ attitude in developed markets have helped the sharing economy take roots and grow. Unlike their Western counterparts, millennials in emerging markets aspire to own status-enhancing products, such as high-end electronics. According to McKinsey and Co., this will see the 15 fastest-growing emerging markets accounting for 90 percent of the growth in consumption of luxury fashion goods in the next 10 years. Pavel Marceux, "How Digitalised Millennials Differ in Developed and Emerging Markets", Euromonitor International, December 09, 2015, © Euromonitor

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Hershey’s Kisses To Carry First Scannable SmartLabel December 4, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Holiday packages of Hershey’s Kisses will carry the SmartLabel QR code (tagged “Scan to Learn What’s Inside”), the first product that attempts to fulfill the American consumer’s desire for more transparency in food and beverage ingredients. The SmartLabel, sponsored by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, allows consumers with smartphones to scan a QR code on product packaging to access a webpage or speak to a company’s customer-service hotline. Ingredient information is available for nearly 30,000 participating products, from laundry detergents to cat food. Besides required basic nutritional information, the label discloses allergens, third-party certifications, GMOs, and extent of compliance with responsible sourcing, “fair trade” or “dolphin safe.” Dale Buss, "Hershey Pioneers SmartLabel QR Codes to Promote Transparency", Brand Channel, December 04, 2015, © Interbrand

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Bake Box Kits Now Available In U.K. December 4, 2015: 12:00 AM EST A new subscription-box service targets would-be British bakers, delivering colorful recipe cards and bakeware every two months. Each box contains all the hardware and ingredients needed to bake and decorate six special-theme recipes for cakes and desserts. Included are two "hero" recipes, a cake recipe, a dessert recipe and simpler recipes designed to make with children. A Bake Box subscription costs about $23.00 a month; each box contains equipment worth at least $60. "Bake Box – the new subscription box for bakers", The Food & Drink Innovation Network, December 04, 2015, © Food & Drink Innovation Network

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Cyber Monday 2015 Online Shopping Breaches $3 Billion December 3, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Total consumer spending on Cyber Monday 2015 online shopping grew 21 percent to $3.1 billion, compared with the $2.5 billion spent by online shoppers in 2014, according to comScore. Data from the market research firm revealed total digital spending breached the $3 billion mark for the first time. Mobile commerce accounted for about 27 percent of the total, with consumers spending $838 million on online purchases made through their smartphones and tablets. Also, the weekend after Thanksgiving produced $1 billion in online shopping on a Sunday, also a first. Tim Denman, "Cyber Monday Spending Tops $3 Billion for First Time Ever", Retail Info System News, December 03, 2015, © Edgell Communications

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Godiva Tries To Shed Stodgy Image December 1, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Godiva Chocolatier is trying to exchange its “more formal” image among chocolate buyers for a more accessible, approachable, but still “luxury” one. A new ad campaign emphasizes the theme – “It’s More Than Just Chocolate” – and introduces globally a “new look and feel” for the nearly 90-year-old confection brand. Part of the new look is a “whimsical” typography that suggests a pastry chef’s writing. For the holidays, the brand will take the chocolates out of their boxes in stores to achieve a less formal look. The company is expanding its advertising beyond in-store displays in retail shops, Macy's, and Barnes & Noble, to include digital advertising, content and influencer partnerships. An internally created digital video series will feature a chef talking about chocolate themes. Lindsay Stein, "Godiva Aims for 'Approachable Luxury' Feel in 2015 Holiday Campaign", Advertising Age, December 01, 2015, © Crain Communications

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Wal-Mart Sharpens E-Commerce Capabilities; Readies For Battle With Amazon November 25, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reorganized its online retail operations to better compete with online giant Amazon.com Inc. Dubbed by the retailer as Pangaea, and started in 2012, the project has cost the company billions of dollars and involved acquiring 15 technology companies and the hiring of 3,600 new IT professionals. Chief technology officer Jeremy King, who saw the reorganization as an opportunity to “rearrange” the world’s biggest retailer, will determine how the company’s forthcoming $2 billion investment will be spent. Recognizing that search could help propel Wal-Mart’s online business, King pushed Kosmix, a data analytics firm acquired by the retailer in 2011, to build a search technology to replace Endeca, a search engine currently owned by Oracle Corp. Kim S. Nash, "Wal-Mart Revamps E-Commerce Technology as Amazon Applies Pressure", The Wall Street Journal, November 25, 2015, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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Majority Of U.S. Digital Shoppers OK With Targeted Ads, Survey Reveals November 24, 2015: 12:00 AM EST In the United States, 62 percent of digital shoppers said digital advertisements are, in general, well targeted to their interests, according to a survey conducted by Morar Consulting for Adadyn. Results of the survey revealed 68 percent of respondents said that geo-targeted mobile ads were useful, and the figure goes up to 77 percent among respondents ages 18 to 24 years. Also, 61 percent of digital shoppers said ads for online stores they recently visited helped them in completing the purchase. "Most Digital Shoppers See Well Targeted Ads", eMarketer, November 24, 2015, © eMarketer Inc.

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Mobile Becomes Most Important Shopping Platform For Consumers November 20, 2015: 12:00 AM EST For 53 percent of consumers, their mobile devices are the most important platform for doing research on products they plan to purchase, compared with 25 percent two years ago, according to global research and marketing technology firm xAd. Consumers who rely on their computers, however, dropped from 73 percent in 2013 to 36 percent in 2015. Data from xAd also revealed that, while at home, 33 percent of consumers do their browsing a week or more before actually buying. Outside their home, however, 42 percent of respondents who are using mobile to browse said they plan to make a purchase within the hour. "How consumers shop on mobiles", Marketing Week, November 20, 2015, © Centaur Communications Ltd

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More Digital Wallet Users Not Using The Service, Study Reveals November 20, 2015: 12:00 AM EST In the United States, only 12 percent of Internet users who were also banking customers used a digital wallet in 2015, almost double the 7 percent recorded in 2014, according to market research firm Market Force Information. Data revealed half of that group said they made a payment using a digital wallet, a drop of 5 percent from 2014. Also, the number declined for respondents with digital wallets who used them to receive money. "Fewer Digital Wallet Users Are Making Payments", eMarketer, November 20, 2015, © eMarketer Inc.

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PepsiCo Flexes Its Social Media Muscle With Halloween Cheetos Prank November 19, 2015: 12:00 AM EST PepsiCo and smartphone food delivery app Caviar tried a Halloween marketing trick designed to boost awareness of Frito-Lay Cheetos and the app itself. The idea was to videotape the arrival of the Caviar food delivery – along with trickster Cheetos mascot Chester Cheetah – at unsuspecting customer residences, along with free samples of Cheetos. The customers’ startled reactions were then posted to social media sites. It’s not known whether there was any customer backlash, but the idea was to build Caviar name recognition while promoting the snack. An industry observer called it a “perfectly timed scare promotion” and “a great way to create that viral component that has shareable components." Brielle Jaekel, "Cheetos scares Caviar users in trick-or-treat video series", Mobile Marketer, November 19, 2015, © Napean LLC.

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Amazon Is Favorite Online Retailer Of U.S. Consumers, Survey Shows November 19, 2015: 12:00 AM EST In the United States, 51 percent of consumers said they plan to do most of their holiday online shopping at Amazon, according to a survey by Reuters/Ipsos. Results of the survey of 3,426 adults conducted on November 12–18, 2015, revealed 16 percent chose Walmart, 3 percent said they would shop online at Target, and 2 percent at Macy’s. Also, results of the study highlighted the obstacles that traditional retailers face in expanding their online retail business. Nathan Layne, "U.S. consumers favor Amazon for online holiday shopping", Reuters, November 19, 2015, © Thomson Reuters

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New Phase Of E-Tail Exploits Social Media’s Unique Selling Advantages November 18, 2015: 12:00 AM EST E-tail has evolved to a new stage, beyond simply having a choice of products online and fast, cheap and convenient delivery. The new stage is called social commerce because it so heavily depends on social media users who develop an emotional connection with products first seen on sites like Facebook and Pinterest. These sites are adding Buy! Buttons as fast as they can. Facebook’s button could increase its annual revenue by 5-10 percent. Retailers and technology companies believe Instagram, with all of its product photographs, is an ideal platform to boost sales. They are developing systems to make shopping there possible. It may soon be possible to make customer photographs posted on Instagram “shoppable” from their own Web sites. Andrea Felsted, "Retail enters third phase of digital evolution", The Financial Times, November 18, 2015, © The Financial Times Limited

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Amazon Becomes Online Retail Powerhouse; Leaves Most Competitors Behind November 18, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Online retailer Amazon.com’s investments in infrastructure and logistics have begun to pay off, according to market analysts. It is grabbing a growing share of the online retail markets in the United States and overseas, attracting more consumers to its Prime fast-shipping program, and is gradually realizing bigger profits from online sales. According to analysts, Amazon is so ahead of the game it is virtually impossible for other e-commerce companies to catch up with the online retail giant. Also, some analysts believe there are no credible competitors among other online retailers. This does not mean, however, that Amazon can relax at the moment. It faces serious challenges in the overseas market and that although it has seen rising sales in India, it continues to find it hard to break into China’s online retail market. Local online retail giant Alibaba’s sales and profits are exponentially larger than those of Amazon. Farhad Manjoo, "How Amazon’s Long Game Yielded a Retail Juggernaut", The New York Times, November 18, 2015, © The New York Times Company

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Martha Stewart Transfers American Made Business From EBay To Amazon November 17, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Online handmade goods marketplace American Made moved from eBay to online retailer Amazon’s Handmade marketplace unit. Launched in 2013 by Martha Stewart, American Made was positioned as eBay’s take on pioneer online handmade products marketplace Etsy. American Made, which has transformed Amazon into a strong competitor to Etsy, saw the number of artisans listing their products on the site double to more than 10,000, with handmade products for sale jumping to 200,000 from the initial 80,000 items. Hiroko Tabuchi, "A Martha Stewart Store Makes a Leap to Amazon", The New York Times, November 17, 2015, © The New York Times Company

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Big-Name Personal Care Brands Dominate Search Rankings November 17, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Online shopping for personal care products is increasing, so the ranking of brands in search results is of paramount importance. P&G has had the greatest success in placing products at the head of the search line on the first page. P&G brands benefit from the company’s early online success and involvement in e-tail merchandising programs. A report on e-tailer strategy suggests that it’s tough for new brands to break into the top ranks because incumbents have an advantage. In diaper products, for example, P&G’s Pampers wins 40 percent first-page placement on Amazon and Walmart, while Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies leads on Target. Homa Zaryouni, "Search as the New Shelf Space", L2, November 17, 2015, © L2 Think Tank

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Number Of Product Reviews Determines Search Performance On Online Retail Sites November 17, 2015: 12:00 AM EST According to L2’s “Insight Report: Enterprise E-Tailer Strategy” report, the number of a product’s reviews affects that product’s search rankings on online retail sites. Results of the study revealed Procter & Gamble’s personal care products have significantly more product reviews than those of its rivals’ products. Brands can improve their review count by syndicating reviews from brand sites. Elisabeth Rosen, "More Reviews, More Visibility", L2 The Daily, November 17, 2015, © L2 Think Tank

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Amazon Launches Prime Now One-Hour Delivery Service November 17, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Online retailer Amazon.com Inc. launched Prime Now, a delivery service that promises to send products to customers in an hour or less. Aimed at shoppers who are prone to making last-minute holiday purchases, the delivery service will cover Seattle, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other cities across the country. Offering the service is an “expensive bet,” requiring the company to keep inventory in cities where real estate and workers cost considerably more. Amazon, however, by combining the convenience of online shopping with the immediate satisfaction of going to a quick trip to the local store, poses a more serious threat to other retailers, including Target Corp. and Macy’s Inc. Spencer Soper , "Amazon's Holiday Shopping Target: The Procrastinator", Bloomberg Business, November 17, 2015, © Bloomberg L.P.

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Walmart Plans To Expand Digital And Ecommerce Capabilities November 11, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Walmart said it plans to increase its capital expenditure on digital projects and ecommerce from $700 million in fiscal year 2015 to $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2017. Part of the retailer’s efforts to offer shoppers enhanced customer experience through “seamless shopping,” the initiatives will include online order and store pickup, a faster fulfillment network, and building new data capabilities to improve the customer experience. According to the company, while an average store-only customer spends about $1,400 a year and online customers, $200, customers who shop through multiple channels spend $2,500 each year. In the United States, online sales are forecast to expand at a CAGR of 9.5 percent from 2013 to 2018. "Omni-Channel Retailing Could Drive Future Growth For Walmart", Trefis, November 11, 2015, © Insight Guru Inc.

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Alibaba Sets New Sales Record On 2015 Singles' Day November 11, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Online retailer Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. reported sales jumped 54 percent to $14.3 billion during the 2015 Singles’ Day, compared with sales recorded in the previous year. This highlights the resilience of consumer spending in China despite the current economic slowdown, the company said. It took just half a day for sales generated to overtake the previous year’s 24-hour total sales of $9.3 billion, the company also said. Gillian Wong, "Alibaba Smashes Singles’ Day Record; Sales Hit $14.3 Billion", Wall Street Journal, November 11, 2015, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc

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Estee Lauder Launches Online Store For Malaysian Consumers November 11, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Estee Lauder launched its online store for the Malaysia market. In addition to providing local consumers access to their favorite Estee Lauder skincare and makeup products, the website features an intuitive and personalized shopping experience online. Also, the company aims to develop a digital community for consumers and fans of beauty products. To help promote the online store’s opening, Estee Lauder is offering giveaways and discounts to shoppers. Tengku Zai , "Estee Lauder Malaysia launches new online shop", Elle, November 11, 2015, © MONGOOSE PUBLISHING

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Birchbox Identifies Type Of Consumers Ignored By Rest Of Beauty Market November 10, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Birchbox said it has identified a new kind of consumers, one that the rest of the beauty industry has been ignoring. Results of a comprehensive market segmentation research study conducted by the beauty subscription company in 2014 revealed “some unusual spending habits among its subscribers.” Based on how subscribers interact with beauty products, the company identified eight types of customers. Results revealed more than half of subscribers fall under the “discerning multitasker” category. Noah Robischon, "How Birchbox Discovered The Beauty Consumer Everyone Else Was Ignoring", Fast Company, November 10, 2015, © Mansueto Ventures, LLC

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Pagar.me Payment System Offers Low Fees And Ease Of Use For Brazilian Online Customers November 9, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Brazil-based Pagar.me offers a low-cost and simple platform for customers to pay for goods online. Established by teenagers Henrique Dubrugras and Pedro Franceschi, the online payment platform combines the cheap rates offered by a third-party service with the ease of paying directly on the vendor’s website. Pagar.me does not require users to log in to another system. It takes a 1.5 percent charge from each online purchase and tax of a half a real. Also, clients pay a commission that varies from 3 percent to 5 percent to Pagar.me partners. Luana Ferreira, "Gaming pays off for two teenagers", BBC News, November 09, 2015, © BBC

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Kroger Creates Grocery Store Designed For The Future November 8, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Kroger expanded its Click List click-and-collect service to cover 184 stores. Based on the Express Lane online ordering platform developed by Harris Teeter, a grocery chain acquired by the company in 2014, Click List allows convenience-minded customers to buy groceries online, then pay and collect their goods at a pickup window at an appointed time. Kroger’s previous technology investments include QueVision, a technology platform that uses sensors and predictive analysis. Installed in 2012, QueVision keeps store managers updated about the number of customers currently in the store, in real time. Kate Taylor, "Kroger is building the grocery store of the future", Business Insider, November 08, 2015, © Business Insider Inc

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India's Online Grocers Facing Gloomy Future, Analysts Believe November 7, 2015: 12:00 AM EST All existing online grocers in India do not have a viable business model, according to Future Retail Ltd. chief executive officer Kishore Biyani. Referring to the hyperlocal grocery delivery companies, which source their goods from local supermarkets and neighborhood stores, Biyani said these online retailers have high operating costs and incur huge losses. More than a dozen online food and grocery retailers are operating in the country. Five of these — Big Basket, Grofers, PepperTap, Jugnoo and ZopNow — have raised around $110 million in funding; however, the others are finding it hard to raise money. Most are likely to disappear in the near future; however, some are expected to survive the expected market consolidation, analysts say. Sapna Agarwal, "None of the existing online grocers will survive: Kishore Biyani", Live Mint, November 07, 2015, © HT Media Ltd.

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Shiseido, Unicharm Join Other Japanese Personal Care Firms To Sell Online In China November 6, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Shiseido and Unicharm joined a group of Japanese personal care products companies that agreed to collaborate with each other and with online retailer Askul to sell products in China via the Alibaba Group online market. Under the collaboration deal, the companies will jointly develop toiletries and cosmetics for the China market and share sales data. Also, they may offer package deals combining products from different makers and brands based on what consumers buy together. Askul will sell the products on Alibaba’s Tmall Global site for foreign companies. "Japanese toiletry makers team up to sell on Alibaba site", Nikkei, November 06, 2015, © Nikkei Inc.

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Jet.com Raises Funds To Help It Compete With Market Leader Amazon November 5, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Online retailer Jet.com, considered one of Amazon.com’s biggest challengers ever, is about to raise $500 million to $550 million in a funding round led by Fidelity Investments. Such an investment would put the online shopping startup’s valuation at about $1.5 billion. Founded by a former Amazon executive, Jet.com is seeking to undercut Amazon’s prices. It also aims to attract customers by offering aggressive ways to save on purchases, such as discounts for paying with a debit card or waiving right to return products they buy. Eric Newcomer et al, "Jet.com to Raise Funds Valuing the Amazon Rival at $1.5 Billion", Bloomberg Business, November 05, 2015, © Bloomberg L.P.

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Security Of Digital Payments Not A Major Concern Of Consumers November 5, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Researcher Mintel reports that, despite huge security breaches involving the personal data of tens of thousands of American consumers, use of credit and debit cards has not slowed appreciably in the past couple of years. Only 29 percent of consumers have turned to cash payments so far in 2015, compared to 42 percent in all of 2014. The fact is, consumers like to use cards because they are convenient, they offer a way to track spending, and they offer rewards. Banks meanwhile are busy sending the more secure chip cards to customers, use of secure online and mobile banking is at an all-time high, and consumers are getting acclimated to using the new smartphone retail payment systems. Susan Wolfe, "Data Breaches Leave Mobile Payment Consumers Looking For Rewards Over Security", Blog, Mintel, November 05, 2015, © Mintel Group Ltd.

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Carrefour Launches Shopping Drive Online Ordering System November 4, 2015: 12:00 AM EST France-based retailer Carrefour introduced the Shopping Drive online shopping service. Currently being tested at the Labege 2 shopping center, which is operated by Carrefour’s real estate unit Carmilla, the service allows consumers to order online from multiple retailers and pick up their goods from Carrefour’s Drive site. At present, Carrefour accounts for about half of the 20,000 products available through the online shopping service. "Carrefour's New Shopping Drive Concept", Retail Analysis, November 04, 2015, © IGD Services Limited

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Jet.com Is Running Out Of Money, Wall Street Journal Reports November 4, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Online retailer Jet.com is running out of money, according to financial documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal newspaper. According to the newspaper, the company is trying to close its latest round of funding, which aims to raise as much as $550 million. Marketing costs account for majority of the company’s spending. Maya Kosoff, "Hyped-up Amazon-killer Jet, which has raised $225 million, is reportedly close to running out of cash", Business Insider, November 04, 2015, © Business Insider Inc.

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Amazon Builds A Book Store On Earth November 3, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Researcher Mintel says Amazon’s decision to descend from cyberspace to establish an earthly bricks-and-mortar book store in Seattle is a solid sign that consumers want a “personal, in-person” book shopping experience. The irony is that Amazon’s pioneering quick-service, automated online retail innovations may have actually sparked a book customer desire for a more personal shopping experience. Other big online retailers – notably, AT&T, Verizon, and Apple – have had huge success with their bricks-and-mortar stores. Mintel says the consumer craving for experience isn’t going away. Other popular Internet-only brands will likely jump onto the bandwagon. Emily Groch, "Amazon’s Brick-And-Mortar Debut Speaks To Consumer Demand For Experience", Blog, Mintel, November 03, 2015, © Mintel Group Ltd.

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Sephora Prevents Australian Consumers From Accessing US Website November 3, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Sephora is facing backlash from customers in Australia after the beauty retailer blocked local consumers from accessing its US website. Days earlier, Sephora launched its Australian website. Local consumers expressed their displeasure by posting messages on the company’s Facebook page. A unit of luxury company LVMH, Sephora operates more than 2,000 stores worldwide, including two in Australia. Lauren Grounsell , "Access denied! Cosmetic giant Sephora slammed for blocking Australian customers from viewing US website to compare prices ", Daily Mail , November 03, 2015, © Associated Newspapers Ltd

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Walmart Beefs Up Its Smartphone Shopping App In Time For the Holidays November 2, 2015: 12:00 AM EST With the approach of the holiday shopping season, and an expected 210 million smartphone shopping visits, Walmart is enhancing its online e-commerce app. The new app will allow shoppers to scan items in the store to build a shopping list. It will also allow online buyers to check in quickly at a local store to speed free pick-up of items purchased on the Web site. Tested at Sam’s Club stores, the company found that it “created a faster, better experience.” It expects that nearly 75 percent of traffic to its Web site will come from a mobile device this holiday season. Chantal Tode, "Walmart refreshes omnichannel push in anticipation of 210M+ holiday app visits", Mobile Commerce Daily, November 02, 2015, © Napean LLC

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Sephora Launches Online Store In Australia November 2, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Beauty retailer Sephora launched its Sephora.com.au online store in Australia. According to Sephora Australia country manager Libby Amelia, the online store will offer a collection of brands and products designed for the Australian market. Like the brick-and-mortar Sephora store, the online store will provide free samples with every purchase, Amelia said. Part of the retailer’s original business plans for Australia, the e-commerce store will carry several online exclusive brands, such as Sleek Makeup, EMK, and Erno Laszlo. Alison Izzo, "Australians Can Now Shop Sephora Online", Harpers Bazaar, November 02, 2015, © Bauer Media Pty Limited

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CPG Companies Need To Fine Tune Their Digital Marketing Machine October 30, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Online sales at CPG companies are growing three times faster than at other companies, mainly because they are finally taking advantage of the marketing opportunities presented by mobile devices. Researcher McKinsey says online sales will account for up to 30 percent ($50 billion) of total CPG growth in the next five years. The online research rate for some CPG products is astonishing: 45 percent for cereal, 55 percent for soap and 65 percent for cosmetics. For the future, successful CPG companies need to follow three winning practices: build strong account-management teams to serve strategic retail partners, develop next-generation e-category management, and build “digital quotient,” which McKinsey defines as an assessment of a company’s digital maturity and capabilities and how they drive financial performance. Kari Alldredge et al., "The digital future of consumer-packaged-goods companies", Report, McKinsey & Company, October 30, 2015, © McKinsey & Company

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Elastic Path Raises Equity Financing To Help Improve E-Commerce Technology October 30, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Elastic Path Software Inc., a provider of e-commerce technology, raised C$10 million in equity financing, raising its total equity funds raised to C$23 million. A developer and seller of technology designed to help retailers and brand manufacturers manage pricing and inventory across online platforms, Elastic Path said it plans to use the money to further improve its technology by investing in its application programming interface. Sandra Guy, "E-commerce technology company Elastic Path raises $7.5 million", Internet Retailer, October 30, 2015, © Vertical Web Media

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Panera Pins Profit Future On Success Of Technology Initiatives October 30, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Panera Bread is determined to boost its sagging profit margins by using technology to streamline ordering, payment and other processes. The keystone of the cost-cutting plan is converting all of its bakeries to the Panera 2.0 initiative – only 100 of its 400 shops have yet to adapt – and so far customer response to rapid pick-up service, delivery to tables, fast-lane kiosks, customizable ordering and mobile payment options, has been positive. Though the company’s sales rose in the third quarter, profit dropped 17 percent because of escalating costs. Alex Samuely, "Panera stirs up mobile ordering focus as Q3 profits wobble", Mobile Commerce Daily, October 30, 2015, © Napean LLC

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Poshmark Partners With Fashion Labels To Launch Wholesale Program October 28, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Poshmark, an online peer-to-peer marketplace for previously owned fashion items, plans to launch a wholesale service. After raising $40.5 million in financing, Poshmark is launching the service to help fashion brands sell more and highlight its top sellers. Poshmark partnered with several fashion labels and under the wholesale program will let some of the marketplace’s top sellers buy merchandise from fashion labels at wholesale prices. Most items sold on the marketplace are second-hand clothing and accessories; however, between 10 percent and 20 percent of products sold were previously purchased wholesale, according to Poshmark co-founder and CEO Manish Chandra. Kia Kokalitcheva, "Why Poshmark is launching its own wholesale program", Fortune, October 28, 2015, © Time Inc.

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Online Retailers Let Shoppers Try Products First At Home For Free October 27, 2015: 12:00 AM EST Some online retailers have adopted the try-before-you-buy approach to selling their products. Designed to let customers test out products for free at home before deciding whether to want to pay for them, try-before-you-buy offers retailers many benefits. This fulfillment method helps attract new customers, creates an image of having better customer service, and does not come with a lot of business risks. Some of the online retailers using the method include Warby Parker, which sells eyeglasses; True&Co, which sells bras; and Rocksbox, a seller of jewelries. David Moth, "Four online retailers that offer try-before-you-buy fulfillment", Econsultancy, October 27, 2015, © Econsultancy.com Limited

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Facebook Forecasts Surge In Mobile Shopping In 4Q 2015 October 26, 2015: 12:00 AM EST According to Facebook IQ, 30 percent of online purchases generated through advertisements on the social network in January–May 2015 happened on mobile devices. Data from Facebook’s in-house consumer research unit revealed the frequency of mobile purchases rose 35 percent during the period. Mobile shopping is forecast to surge during the fourth quarter of 2015, driven by younger consumers, Hispanics, and millennial mothers, according to Facebook. Also, among mobile shoppers, older consumers, such as Baby boomers, prefer shopping using their tablet computers, while millennials and younger consumers prefer to use their smartphones. Mike Shields, "Facebook Says Nearly One Third of Online Shopping Transactions Are On Mobile Devices", The Wall Street Journal, October 26, 2015, © Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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