| News about digital retail commerce |  |
- Makeup Alley quietly makes its mark
Makeup bloggers and media makeup experts abound online, but a 12-year-old no-frills website called Makeup Alley has become the go-to spot for a growing number of women seeking unbiased opinions and product reviews. Consumers contribute the product reviews without being influenced by bags of freebies, and the site now boasts 1.1 million members. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (7/27)      | Online Retail Trends |  |  | | - Report: Customization is key to boosting online apparel sales
Retailers that don't offer buyers the ability to customize their apparel online may be missing a big opportunity to boost sales and cater to customers, according to a new report from Forrester Research. Brands including Nike, Converse and Lands' End already offer customizable options, which 39% of customers say they want, the report found. InternetRetailer.com (7/27) - Marketers catch on to real potential of virtual goods
Virtual goods sold in social games are rapidly translating into a source of real dollars, with U.S. revenues projected to grow 21.3% to $792 million in 2012 from $653 million this year, according to an eMarketer report. "Savvy marketers have grasped this phenomenon and inserted their brands into a variety of games in creative ways," says eMarketer analyst Paul Verna. eMarketer (7/27)  | The Plum Card®
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  - Mobile plays a bigger role in back-to-school shopping
Two-thirds of smartphone owners plan to use the devices as part of their back-to-school shopping strategies this year, according to a new survey from Deloitte. Three out of five shoppers say they'll use the gadgets to search prices and about half say they plan to download discounts, coupons and sale information using their mobile devices. CNBC/Consumer Nation (7/27)  - Whole Foods and Saffron Road tap social media in Ramadan push
Whole Foods Market and Saffron Road Foods are using social media, including Facebook and Twitter, to reach Muslims during the monthlong holiday of Ramadan. Saffron Road, a brand of natural meals, is targeting Facebook ads to users who identify themselves as Muslim; Whole Foods is posting articles from Yvonne Maffei, blogger for My Halal Kitchen. ClickZ (7/27) - Toys R Us will join list of retailers selling Kindle
Toys R Us will sell Amazon's Kindle starting Sunday, aiming to reach its core demographic of 6- to 8-year-olds. Of that group, 28% read books on a digital device last year, according to publisher Scholastic. The toy store will sell models costing $114.99 to $189.99 and will offer a $10 gift card with purchase the first week. The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) (7/28)  | Turning Online Shopper Uncertainty into a New Source of Sales and Profits. Eliminating consumer uncertainty is a challenge for all online merchants. The question is, how can you address shoppers' concerns and increase sales and profits in the process? Download the buySAFE white paper to learn more NOW! |
| Interactive Advertising | | | | - Facebook is an impression multiplier for brands
Facebook friends, on average, can extend a brand's reach to an additional 34 Facebook users, according to a comScore study. In addition, users are up to 150 times more likely to consume branded content in a Facebook newsfeed than to visit a brand's Web page, the study found. ClickZ (7/27) | Legislative & Regulatory | | | | | Shop.org Spotlight | | | | - Online back-to-school shoppers will spend 40% more than offline counterparts
While families will be shopping in multiple venues for everything from school supplies and electronics to new clothing and shoes, almost one third will do some of that shopping online. These online back-to-school shoppers are preparing to spend a combined average of $846.54 to get their children ready for the new school year, or 40% more than all shoppers. Specifically, online back-to-school shoppers will spend a third more than average for shoes and school supplies, and fully 68% more for electronics and computer related goods. Read more. - Free regional dinners head to New York and Boston in August
If you'd like to enjoy a free meal with your retail peers, Shop.org is hosting two August networking dinners with stops in New York and Boston. These free, retailer-only events offer executives a chance to network and discuss digital retail topics in a casual and relaxed environment. As an additional perk, at the end of each dinner, Shop.org will raffle off one full conference pass to the Shop.org Annual Summit, this September in Boston (up to an $1,800 value). View the schedule.
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One out of three consumers say they will purchase back-to-college items online this year. Source: 
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