  | News about digital retail commerce |  | | |  | - Groupon to pursue more national retailers after Gap's success
 Groupon plans to pursue more partnerships with national retailers after the stellar success of a recent Gap deal, COO Rob Solomon told Shop.org Summit attendees Wednesday. While the majority of deals will remain "hyper-local," Solomon said partnerships with national chains such as J.C. Penney and Crate & Barrel make sense because the merchants have a presence in most U.S. markets. DMNews (9/29)       | |  | | | New Analyst Report: "What Every Exec Needs To Know About The Future of eCommerce Technology."
This new analyst report, compliments of Demandware, highlights trends in this transformative time of commerce. Consumers continue to demand more of retailers. Does your technology allow you to keep up with consumer expectations — today and tomorrow? Download this free report today. | |  |  ADVERTISEMENT | |  |
- Online gamblers embrace entertainment shopping
One of the newest trends in e-commerce is so-called "entertainment shopping," in which users pay a fee for the chance to snap up a super-bargain while running the risk of coming away empty-handed. One of the newest entrants, ToVieFor, is expanding the concept to high fashion, launching a site where shoppers buy credits for the chance to bid on designer purses and accessories. The site and others like it can offer steeper discounts because they make money from selling the credits members need to compete in each sale. TechCrunch (9/28) - EBay shoppers spend more when buying via iPad
The average ticket for eBay shoppers using their iPad to access the retail site is 50% higher than the average sale to PC users, an eBay executive revealed at the Shop.org Summit this week. Other online merchants that launched early iPad apps and strategies report similar success. MobileCommerceDaily.com (9/29) - Wine.com finds iPad users buy more for themselves: Wine-loving iPad users tend to buy more bottles for themselves than as gifts for others, spurring an increase in repeat business for Wine.com, a company exec said at this week's Shop.org Summit. The company is developing a new version of its iPad app, adding more information about wines and new functions including the ability to scroll through wine labels. InternetRetailer.com (9/29)
 | Whitepaper: 10 Tips for Mobile Sites and Apps
How can you engage and convert mobile users as they deal with limited screen real estate and time? This free whitepaper outlines ten tips for creating compelling mobile sites and apps that will engage, convert and keep users coming back. | - Merchants move to capture holiday shoppers on Facebook
Facebook's 500 million users are an attractive lure for the nation's retailers, many of whom are working fast to create stores on the social network in time for the holidays, said experts at this week's Shop.org Summit. Social networks initially provided a place for retailers to reach out and connect with consumers; converting those consumers into customers is the next step, said Adgregate Markets CEO Henry Wong. "This is where the customer is hanging out. They're not hanging out on websites." The Dallas Morning News (9/30) - Gift sales offer insight into giver's tastes
Merchants have an opportunity to expand online sales this season with special offers aimed at appealing to gift buyers, whose purchases for others often reflect their own personal tastes, said Proclivity Systems founder and CEO Sheldon Gilbert. Gift registries, shipment records and social networks may provide rich sources of information merchants can use to customize special offers, Gilbert told Shop.org Summit attendees. InternetRetailer.com (9/29) - European merchants are making the most of online tools
 European retailers are moving to capitalize on the potential of online tools and trends including social networks and video to build their brands and expand sales, several said at this week's Shop.org Summit. Fashion retailer French Connection has created videos that show shoppers how to assemble a look and allow viewers to click on products to buy them as the video airs. Shop.org Blog (9/29)  | The Lowdown on Health Care Reform
By Polly Schneider Traylor, September 07, 2010
National health care reform will make benefits planning for next year and beyond more complex. Here's how to get started evaluating what the impact could be on your company's bottom line. |
 - Augmented reality is ready for the big time
Augmented reality, the technology that lays super-imposed content over live images viewed through a camera or similar device, will be coming to smartphones. According to this report, AR, as it is called, will enable people to download a plethora of information related to their surroundings. "The idea that a mobile device knows where I am and can access, manipulate and overlay that information on real images that are right in front of me really gets my science fiction juices flowing," said Mark Donovan, a senior analyst at ComScore. CNET/Signal Strength blog (9/29)  | Supercharging the Online Channel
Getting to the right shoppers and then converting them to buyers in your online store is every retailer's key objective. Short purchase windows, impatient buyers, and new mandates around security are creating unprecedented demands on commerce sites. Learn how to attract customers to your site, optimize their online shopping experience and drive more transactions. Watch the webinar NOW! |
 | Companies in the News |  | | | - Taobao tests new shopping search engine
Alibaba-owned Taobao.com is testing a shopping search engine called etao. Analysts say the move is an effort to support the company's position as the largest online retailer and auction site in China. It is expected to bring more shoppers to the site and increase competition for the company's dominant search engine, Baidu. PC World/IDG News Service (9/29)
| Shop.org Spotlight | | | |  | - Got 10 minutes? You could win an iPad.
Calling all associate and retail members of Shop.org: It's time for the 2010 member survey, and we need your feedback to continue growing your member experience. By completing the 10-minute questionnaire, you will be entered to win one of two iPads. Learn more. |
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Heroes are created by popular demand, sometimes out of the scantiest materials, or none at all."
--Gerald W. Johnson,
American writer, editor and historian  |
| | This SmartBrief was created for cpgbrokers.data@blogger.com | | | | Advertise | Sales Account Director:
Dena Malouf 202.737.5500 ext. 282 | | | | | | | | | | Recent Shop.org SmartBrief Issues: - Wednesday, September 29, 2010
- Tuesday, September 28, 2010
- Monday, September 27, 2010
- Friday, September 24, 2010
- Thursday, September 23, 2010
| | | Lead Editor: Megan Conniff
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 | | | | | | © 1999-2010 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
Buzz Lightyear and Alice in Wonderland made the list of top Halloween costumes this year. Source: 
