 | News about digital retail commerce |  | | |  | - NRF predicts higher holiday sales this season
Consumers are expected to spend about 2.3% more this holiday season than they did last year, according to the National Retail Federation forecast released today. The forecast is markedly brighter than last year's 0.4% increase and a 3.9% decline two years ago, amid a tanking economy. "What retailers are hoping to get this holiday season is some indication that we have reached a sustained economic recovery and the back-to-school numbers gave us some indication that we are heading in that direction, though in a modest way," said NRF CEO and President Matt Shay. The Wall Street Journal (10/6) , ABC News/Reuters (10/6)       | "M-commerce drives revenue 365/24/7 "
V.A.M.P. gives you access to your audience anywhere, anytime. Venda's integrated mobile solution, Powered by Digby, V.A.M.P. is a fully transactional mobile solution that allows your customers to search, shop, buy and pay. Easy implementation and High ROI. To find out more, "Request a Mobile Strategy Review" today. | - Merchants partner to develop Amazon Prime competitor ShopRunner
A large group of U.S. retail chains has found a way to compete head-on with Amazon by forming a cooperative to offer a subscription-based free-shipping service similar to Amazon Prime. The program, dubbed ShopRunner, charges a $79 annual fee for unlimited free two-day shipping of online purchases from a slew of name stores including Babies R Us, PetSmart and Dick's Sporting Goods. Unlike Prime, it also offers free returns. The Wall Street Journal (10/6) - Survey: Many Halloween shoppers will buy online
About one-third of American consumers who plan to spend money on Halloween costumes, decor and other items expect to do so online, according to a new survey. Online Halloween shoppers tend to be younger, with almost half falling in the 18-to-34 age group, and they're driven more by price and selection than by free gifts and product reviews. InternetRetailer.com (10/5) - Online retailers are poised to drive marketing innovation
As online sales continue to grow, e-commerce merchants' efforts to improve the process and expand their brand conversations are likely to drive the next innovations in interactive marketing, writes Scott Lester, CEO of online content provider Flixmedia. "Making the buying process more seamless, more convenient, more interesting is at the root of retailers' forays into new tech territory." MarketingWeek.co.uk (U.K) (free content) (10/6)  | On-Demand Web Conferencing and Collaboration-Anywhere. No need to scramble for conference rooms when you can instantly connect employees, customers or students online. Cisco WebEx supports 10 million subscribers each month with web applications specifically tailored to industry needs. Via computer or Smartphone, you can discover the benefits of WebEx with a Free 14-day trial. Register now. |
 - Butt out to boost engagement, says Xbox social-media chief
You know you have built a real community when your fans begin to engage each other in meaningful ways, says Xbox social-media director Mary Renouf. To encourage users to talk to each other, brands should thank people who take on moderator positions, and should give fans a chance to make themselves heard before diving into conversations. "We ... quit answering some questions from the brand as quickly to give our fans a chance to answer themselves. It makes for better engagement," Renouf says. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Social Media (10/5)  | Make MetLife Part of Your Family's Strategy for Success.
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 - Macy's makes magic with high-tech fitting room
Macy's has unveiled its first high-tech "magic" fitting room at its Herald Square flagship in New York, complete with a multitouch mirror and connected tablet computer that lets shoppers virtually try on outfits. Consumers can post their proposed new looks on Facebook and send pictures via e-mail before they ever actually try on the new pieces. Retailing Today (free registration) (10/5) , Display & Design Ideas (10/5) - AOL aims to wow with new group-buying site
AOL has launched its entry into the ever-growing field of group-buying sites, as it seeks to diversify its revenue streams. Wow.com promises to offer users deep discounts on travel, meals and entertainment; it is the latest in a line of media companies experimenting with Groupon-like efforts as they seek to lessen their reliance on ad revenue. MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily (10/5) - Blippy more than doubles shared purchases per day since May
Philip Kaplan, the co-founder of Blippy, the site that lets users share credit card transactions with their online friends, said that service shares $500,000 in purchases per day and users contribute 1,000 reviews each day. According to this report, the site has shown impressive growth since May, when users were sharing $214,000 in purchases per day. TechCrunch (10/6) - Google announces media partners for TV effort
Google TV has signed deals with several media and Web partners, including Amazon, as part of its move to allow consumers to access the Internet and search for movies and other digital content from their televisions. The company plans to make Amazon Video on Demand and Netflix streaming movies available. Other partners include NBC Universal and the National Basketball Association. The Wall Street Journal (10/4) - EBay guarantees it will protect buyers
EBay is gearing up to heavily market a buyer-protection program launched early this year, with a monthlong campaign of online ads, e-mail mentions and social-media chatter. The service allows buyers to contact eBay service representatives when they encounter problems that a seller can't fix, and guarantees a refund if the issue isn't resolved within seven days. InternetRetailer.com (10/5)  | When the dotcom bubble burst in 2000, it took the Network Equipment Providers (NEPs) industry with it. Ten years later NEPs are experiencing resurgent growth and are finding themselves challenged by a new set of market conditions. This complimentary whitepaper explores how to survive these challenges and the next wave of consolidation among NEPs. |
| Shop.org Spotlight |  | | | - NRF forecasts 2.3% holiday sales increase
After an almost flat 2009, holiday retail sales are expected to increase 2.3% this year to $447.1 billion, according to an economic forecast released by NRF today. While that growth remains slightly lower than the 10-year average holiday sales increase of 2.5%, it would be a marked improvement from both last year's 0.4% uptick and the dismal 3.9% holiday sales decline retailers experienced in 2008. Read more. - Shop.org SmartStat: Oct. 6, 2010
 Nearly three-quarters of retailers send merchandise to overseas customers from their home country's distribution center. Source: The State of Retailing Online  | - How the recent DOJ settlement with Visa/MasterCard affects your company
The Justice Department has reached a settlement with Visa and MasterCard regarding practices that have blocked retailers from offering discounts to customers based on payment method. In light of the recent announcement, Shop.org retail members are invited to join NRF General Counsel Mallory Duncan on Oct. 8 for a conference call on the implications of the settlement. Learn more. |
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