Technology News: Retail

How Etailers Can Take On the Whole World
November 10, 2009

The majority of global markets are growing significantly faster than the United States. Bill Gates has even stated that in the 21st century, a business must use e-commerce to survive. In this economy, thinking outside the proverbial box and expanding a company without taking on significant overhead or structural changes means selling beyond geographic borders.

E-Commerce Innovations - What's Now and What's Next
September 14, 2009

Just as the evolution of the speed-skating boot set new standards for the sport, innovation in today's constantly evolving e-commerce landscape has worked as a catalyst to move it forward. E-commerce practitioners from all industries need to be ready to step up and embrace innovation as a means of staying ahead of the game.

The E-Coupon Generation
September 01, 2009

Electronic coupons, arriving by cellphone, Twitter, e-mail and Facebook, are helping generate an old standby's comeback and bringing in new, younger customers. Many shoppers, especially young consumers like 30-year-old April Englebert, used to reject coupons printed in newspapers and direct-mail booklets as passe or cumbersome.

Checkout Line Anxiety
August 25, 2009

Penny-pinching Americans are getting cold feet at checkout -- thinking twice about spending and ditching items before they're rung up. They're leaving sweaters in the dress department, dumping cookies near the grocery cashier and waiting until the last minute to weigh wants versus needs. Online, shoppers are abandoning their virtual carts as they search for better deals.

Avaya Pitches In-Store, Web Video Customer Service Apps to Retailers
January 12, 2009

Avaya is rolling out two new industry-specific applications at the National Retail Federation's annual trade show on Monday. One, Avaya Video Assist, leverages the company's contact center expertise. The other, In-Store Connect, allows retailers to do away with siloed commnication systems such as intercoms or telephones.

A Holiday Wish List for Mobile Commerce
November 29, 2008

Mobile commerce opportunities have been largely overlooked by retailers in North America with sound reason. The current shopping experience on mobile phones is just plain awful. Nevertheless, mobile communication devices are a widely used resource -- ready and able to bridge stores with the site and call center.

E-Tailers Cooking Up Cyber Monday Promos to Goose Holiday Sales
November 24, 2008

With the economy in a downward spiral, many e-tailers plan to offer deep discounts and special shipping deals on the Monday following Thanksgiving, aka Cyber Monday, which has become a big spending day for online shoppers in the past several years. Eighty-four percent of online retailers plan to have a Cyber Monday promotion to stimulate sales, according to a new report.

Don't Mess With the Platform - Enhance the E-Commerce Experience
November 14, 2008

As I watch the world economy spiraling downward, I thank my lucky stars that I happen to work in one of the few industries that is expected to grow despite the downturn. Nonetheless, online retailers are going to face slower growth than we were all predicting even a few weeks ago, and the industry is being forced to completely reevaluate budgets and priorities.

The Seven Deadly Consumer Biases
November 08, 2008

More is better, right? Wrong. In "The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less," Barry Schwartz explains how too many options actually cause more psychological distress than good. And nowhere is the overabundance of choice more prevalent than the Internet, where any given Web site can present us with an overwhelming number of alternatives at once.

To Keep Customers Coming Back, Get Personal
November 06, 2008

As the economy continues to decline, retailers are fighting a fierce battle for a share of the consumer's wallet. Every customer counts, but the loyal customers are particularly valuable, especially when your competitor is just a click away. The Web gives consumers access to far more options than were available in pre-Internet days.

Landing Pages: Mix 'Em Up, See What Works Best
October 27, 2008

The job of the modern Web site is more important and more difficult than ever, especially when it comes to a multichannel sales strategy. Visitors arrive at your Web site through a variety of online channels: pay-per-click and organic search, e-mail offers and print ads.

The Ultimate Online Shopping Experience, Part 2: Features and Functionality
October 19, 2008

Research has shown that the three most important factors influencing whether a customer will purchase from a consumer Web site are security and privacy, ease of navigation and quality of content. Make privacy and security information prevalent on your site and in the purchasing flow -- including both detailed policy statements and third-party certifications.

Zappos.com: These Boots Were Made for E-Commerce
October 16, 2008

Among dreamy startups and salty e-commerce veterans alike, Zappos.com appears to be the golden grail -- certainly one blessed, at least, with heavenly rewards. "Zappos is the Amazon of the shoe business, and its model is extremely difficult to mimic," Gene Alvarez, vice president of research at Gartner -- and former employee of shoe-biz powerhouse, Nine West Group -- told the E-Commerce Times.

Tools for the Tech-Savvy Shopper
August 29, 2008

"Smart" shopping carts have been around for a while, but until recently, they haven't managed to gain much traction. Now, some momentum is building, according to proponents of the computer-rigged market baskets that can flash an alert that a customer's favorite brand of ice cream is on sale, display nutritional values of products, and even point out the aisles where items are located.

The Good Old Analog Customer
July 16, 2008

On my blog, I have been writing about my experience with my new computer: an iMac. I have been spending a lot of time thinking about the whole cultural difference between the Windows world and the Apple world. As a longtime user of Windows, I felt I knew and understood that platform pretty well and the jolt of cutting over cold turkey was both surprising and refreshing.

Music 2.0: The New Indie Model
July 15, 2008

The Web continues to play a central role in affecting radical, disruptive change in the music industry as musicians latch on to the latest Web 2.0 tools and bypass traditional producers and distributors. High Street music and video chains -- all the rage not that long ago -- seem to be closing outlets as quickly as they once opened them.