Facebook Shops Lets SMBs Sellers Create Free Ecommerce Storefronts

| Mike O'Brien

Facebook launched of Facebook Shops, a way for small businesses to set up free online storefronts that will stretch across Facebook and Instagram, and eventually across its Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger universe of users as well. It integrates with a number of major ecommerce platforms, excluding Adobe’s Magento.

“No Results Found”: Addressing the Site Search Dead End Dilemma

| Dori Salisbury

If an eager shopper comes to your website with a product in mind and high purchase intent, but then hits a “no results found” page, at best they’ll attempt a couple of variations of the term before bailing and heading to a competitor. To avoid this bad scenario, here are some tips to quickly redirect shoppers and give them options.

Ecommerce Sales Continued Explosive Growth in April

| Mike O'Brien

Driven by COVID-19 restrictions, ecommerce grew 49% between the early March shutdowns and the end of April, according to Adobe’s latest Digital Economy Index, with large gains in curbside and store pickup and e-grocery as the retail world continues to reset. Bazaarvoice also found ecommerce orders were up 96% in April year-over-year.

J. Crew, Madewell Parent Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

| Mike O'Brien

Chinos Holdings, parent of preppy clothing retailer J. Crew and women’s apparel and accessories seller Madewell, filed Chapter 11 as part of a restructuring plan that calls for converting $1.65 billion of its debt to equity and securing $400 million in loans. This is the first major retailer to file for bankruptcy during the coronavirus crisis.

Avoid These 4 Deadly Sins of Ecommerce Sellers During a Crisis

| Daniel Sugarman

While everyone might be caught between a rock and a hard place, the COVID-19 outbreak has proven there is definitely a wrong way to act during times of crisis. Here are several instances in which ecommerce sellers paid a hefty price for the decisions they made. Avoid resorting to these methods when your business is in crisis mode.

Maintaining Ecommerce Tax Compliance During COVID-19

| Chris Rivera

Some companies are seeing booming ecommerce sales due to COVID-19, while others are experiencing a big hit. Whether you’re a new or existing online business, both scenarios have ecommerce tax compliance implications you need to be aware of. Here are some useful tips to help you stay on top of this important issue.

NBCUniversal Launches New Checkout Platform for Shoppable Content

| Mike O'Brien

NBCUniversal’s new instant checkout service for its shoppable content lets consumers click and buy products they see across the media company’s broadcast and online properties, giving brands an opportunity to sell during a time when stores are shut down. Shoppers can make purchases without abandoning their program.

Dark Stores Addressing Massive COVID-19 E-Grocery Demand

| Mike O'Brien

A handful of grocery retailers have flipped some locations into so-called dark stores to handle the crush of online orders, but it remains to be seen how widespread the practice will become or how much the trend will stick after the coronavirus threat dies down. Retailers include Amazon/Whole Foods, Kroger, Giant Eagle and Stop & Shop.

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Sweetwater CEO on the Power of Music Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak

| Mike O'Brien

In the midst of COVID-19 social isolation, people are craving connection. In the midst of uncertainty, videos of musicians sharing their gifts, both virtually and socially distanced, have gone viral, providing inspiration and hope. Sweetwater CEO Chuck Surack talks about his company’s experience and how they’re connecting with customers.

Profitero Raises $20m in New Round, Brings in Ad Industry Veterans

| Mike O'Brien

Profitero, an ecommerce analytics firm that includes Adidas, L’Oreal and General Mills among its 4,000 clients, has raised $50 million in new funding and brought in ad industry veterans to lead the company as it looks to develop new products and grow its business. Bryan Wiener has been named CEO and Sarah Hofstetter is president.