Consumer behavior is shaping the future of online retail in ways we never imagined a few years ago. Mobile computing devices, such as smartphones and tablets, have dramatically changed shoppers’ preferences and are driving the need for rapid change. Here are three technology predictions that will be common place by the year 2020 — if not before.
With each passing year, more ecommerce retailers urge their holiday shoppers to trust that they’ll be on time delivering each gift off their list. When customer care goes the extra mile, and CSR channels are well-prepared for holiday traffic, fulfillment presents retailers with another chance to shine in the eyes of seasonal shoppers.
This year marks Amazon’s 20th anniversary, and few can argue the company’s defining and revolutionary impact on commerce. So, as we reflect back on 20 years of Amazon and what lies ahead, what do commerce marketers need to consider in order to stay ahead of the competition?
In our omnichannel world, creating loyal customers will come down to being relevant to each shopper – whenever and however they choose to interact with you, whether that’s in-store, online, via email or on a mobile device.
To take advantage of the new return/exchange service, customers can visit sears.com, click on the customer service link, choose “returns and exchanges” and follow the prompts to identify the item. For an exchange, they select a new item and get an email confirmation when the replacement is ready for pickup.
Once at the store, they park in a designated In-Vehicle Pickup spot, and notify the store of their arrival via the app. A timer will start on the phone, and a Sears associate will arrive within five minutes and complete the return or exchange.
The re-launch, which took roughly six months to complete, included a complete redesign of the site, incorporation of features such as Find in Store, sale of a gift cards, and the creation of a community section that integrates customer stories, pictures and experiences.
How huge is Holiday 2014 going to be? Deloitte says overall holiday sales are expected to rise 4% to 4.5%, and digital interactions expected to influence 50% of retail store sales.
Retailers face many unique challenges when selling online to international markets. For example, U.S. merchants need to know what imports are prohibited; when to apply import duties, taxes and tariffs; and how to comply with country-specific forms, country-specific product coding, and local shipping rules.
Online furniture retailer Smart Furniture launched its responsive website in August after it saw a change in its web traffic. Here is what T.J. Gentle, president and CEO of Smart Furniture had to say.
ChannelAdvisor has released the holiday results of its “Multichannel E-Commerce Study,” which surveyed more than 200 online retailers in the U.S. and U.K. that averaged $3 million to $5 million in revenue in 2013. Here are four key findings that should help you adjust your planning in time for the holidays.