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Watch the video now! | | Online Retail Trends |  |  | | - Retailers expect bigger e-commerce investments to pay off
About 69% of retailers say they'll spend more on e-commerce technology this year than they did in 2010, according to a new survey. Earlier website improvements resulted in higher sales, spurring optimism and increased spending among merchants who see ongoing improvements as the key to further increasing conversion rates, the survey says. InternetRetailer.com (4/28)      - Survey: Online shoppers plan to up what they spend on mom this year
Online retailers and department stores are in line to reap the biggest Mother's Day sales increases this year, as consumers expect to spend an average of $140.73 on mom this year, up from $126.09 last year, according to an NRF forecast. Shoppers who go online expect to spend about 10% more than last year. BizReport (4/28) - Security firm says cybercriminals seek to shake down retailers
The same speedier Internet service that's helping e-commerce companies grow is also proving a boon to criminals looking to profit from protection schemes. Online criminals are increasingly demanding that online retailers pay them to prevent them from launching attacks that will slow or take down their sites at peak sales times, according to Akamai Technologies. InternetRetailer.com (4/28)  | The Plum Card®
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  - Sites seek to redefine the meaning of "social shopping"
While shopping has always been a social activity, group buying sites and social media networks are looking to redefine the meaning of "social shopping" as they partner with merchants to create buzz and build sales for their brands. Some approaches involve trying to cultivate new online shopper communities, such as CheapToday's network of "power shoppers" who earn points with a cash value for seeking big bargains and sharing them with the group. CNBC/Consumer Nation blog (4/28) - 5 remarketing tips, and why the soft sell works best
Remarketing -- following up by e-mail with online shoppers who abandon their carts before buying -- can be an effective conversion-boosting strategy for retailers who do it right, writes Ecommerce-Guide contributor and online seller Vangie Beal. The soft sell works best, she writes, including an initial e-mail that takes a gentle, service-oriented tone rather than jumping right into a product pitch. eCommerce-Guide.com (4/28)  | Akamai - The Right Partner with the Right Solution
Are you failing to to satisfy user expectations for an outstanding online shopping experience? Do you need to accelerate your dynamic content? Do you strive to be a retailer that pushes the envelope with site technology and offerings? Learn why the Akamai Dynamic Site Accelerator is the right solution for those issues and more. |
 - E-commerce site caters to canine fashionistas
At My Favorite Couture, owners of the most pampered pooches will find fashions fit for their stylish furry friends. Founder and canine fashion designer Anastasia Torres-Gil creates her costumes from recycled designer goods, including luxury Louis Vuitton handbags, and has seen success for her designs, which start at $50. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration) (4/28) - Sports Authority hires former Target exec for CIO post
Sports Authority has named Fred Argir as its new senior vice president and chief information officer, to oversee technology purchases and development. Most recently, Argir served as vice president of the supply chain for Target, and he previously held the CIO title at direct marketer Fingerhut, now known as Bluestem Brands. InternetRetailer.com (4/28) - WhereToGet.It uses crowd to track down the latest looks
Startup WhereToGet.It employs crowdsourcing to help consumers find styles they see on the street or in the media but don't know where to buy them. Users post photos of the items in question and help each other figure out the brand; once that's done, they can buy the pieces and the site gets an affiliate fee. Adweek (4/28)  | Health care reform got you down? Learn more from UnitedHealthcare on how the federal changes to medical benefits will affect you and your employees. This comprehensive guide highlights incentives for enrollment and a timeline of important dates and deadlines. Don't let them pass you by—Learn more here! |
| Interactive Advertising | | | | | Legislative & Regulatory | | | | - How the Internet sales tax loophole hurts brick-and-mortar retailers
Online retailers have an unfair advantage over brick-and-mortar retailers when it comes to state taxes, writes Jeff Milchen. By exempting online purchases from state taxes in some areas, the government is effectively giving online retailers a 5% to 10% subsidy. To level the field, he proposes a universal 5% rate for all interstate retail sales -- with proceeds divided among the states. Bloomberg Businessweek (4/28) | Shop.org Spotlight | | | | - DSW, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and UncommonGoods are attending. Are you?
Executives from more than 20 prominent retail companies are attending next week's half-day online marketing workshop in New York City. Featured speakers hail from Forrester Research, Rue La La, comScore, The Sports Authority and Social Shopping Labs and will share their insights on everything from consumer engagement to social media marketing to predictions on the shopping technologies of the future. The workshop will be held May 3 in conjunction with a retailer-only networking dinner. Shop.org members, register now to receive your one free pass. Register or learn more. - Shop.org SmartStat: April 29, 2011
 The average online Mother's Day shopper is expected to spend $219.40 on the holiday this year -- a whopping 56% more than their offline-only counterparts. Source: NRF survey conducted by BIGresearch - Shop.org now accepting white paper submissions
 Has your company recently published a white paper, case study, benchmarking report, or other original document that serves to educate or support aspects of the e-commerce industry? Shop.org members, submit original materials now for others in the industry to benefit from. Learn more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | A man does not plant a tree for himself; he plants it for posterity."
--Alexander Smith,
Scottish poet,
quoted for Arbor Day, April 29, 2011  |
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