 | News about digital retail commerce |  | | |  | - How will the elections affect online retail?
Congress is less likely to focus on discussions of online privacy and advertising if today's election shifts the balance of power in the House, writes Shop.org counsel Elizabeth Oesterle. Meanwhile, executive branch agencies are expected to move ahead with regulations regarding the Web, including a privacy report with several potentially controversial recommendations from the FTC, which is due out this month. Shop.org Blog (11/1)       | 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! |
 - Report: U.S. e-retailing is up 9% to $32.1B
Consumer online spending in the U.S. in Q3 rose 9% to $32.1 billion, compared with the same period in 2009, according to comScore. The uptick marked the fourth consecutive quarterly increase for the e-retailing segment. Although the growth is "a fairly positive indicator for the upcoming holiday season," the high unemployment rate could dampen seasonal shopping, said comScore Chairman Gian Fulgoni. Reuters (11/1) , MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily (11/1) - Groupon, with a twist
It's no secret that a slew of companies is looking to copy Groupon's ultra-successful daily-deal model, but many competitors are finding ways to set themselves apart by occupying niches. Roozt, a month-old startup focused on eco-friendly products, has already signed about 10,000 subscribers, and Santa Monica-based FamilyFinds, which features family-friendly activities, has plans to expand to new markets. Los Angeles Business Journal (free registration) (11/1)  | Can "Like" and "Share" Work Together?
Wondering when to use the Facebook "Like" button on your site and when to use "share?" You're not alone. Learn the 6 best practices for combining "Like" and Share to maximize both referral traffic and data. Download Whitepaper Now | - Brands build buzz with digitally driven online contests
A number of brands are taking advantage of available technology to increase their use of user-generated content contests to build brand awareness. Contests by Lee Jeans, Canon USA and Buick all encourage consumers to share personal product-related stories, pictures and videos. "I always feel that when consumers have something 'in the game,' it brings them a little bit closer to the brand," says Canon marketing manager Michelle Fernandez. DMNews (11/1)  | What could be better than supporting and managing your BlackBerry smartphone deployment, for free? Nothing.
Now you can get industry-leading security and device management tools for BlackBerry smartphones, for free. Download BlackBerry Enterprise Server express today and get started. |
 - EBay program lets gift givers split the bill
A new program on eBay promises to make it easier for groups of friends or family members to chip in on big-ticket gifts. The service applies to products that are available for sale immediately rather than those up for auction, allowing one person to select the gift and then send invitations via Facebook or e-mail asking others to pitch in. USA TODAY (11/1) - Best Buy to open online store in U.K.
Best Buy, which opened its first store in Britain in May, is planning to launch an online site in the U.K. Best Buy is taking its battle with Comet, Currys and Argos online. Best Buy's move comes as online consumer electronics sales, not including mobile phones, computers and some other purchases, are forecast to exceed £1 billion in Britain this year. The Independent (London) (11/2) - Toys R Us creates iPad wish list app
Toys R Us has created two versions of a new holiday iPad app, one that allows children to select the toys they want to find under the tree and another for their parents to see the wish list items and the prices that go along with them. The app then allows parents to edit the lists and e-mail them to friends and family members looking for gift ideas. InternetRetailer.com (11/1) - Taobao creates a separate site to build B2C sales
Alibaba's online retail site Taobao has created a separate portal to distinguish its business-to-consumer retail offerings from its consumer-to-consumer business. The Chinese company plans to roll out a $30 million campaign for Tmall.com over the next three months in an effort to maintain its lead over growing competition for China's online shoppers. The Wall Street Journal (11/1) - Soap.com wants New Yorkers to buy basics online
E-commerce company Quidsi has launched Soap.com, which promises quick delivery of basic household items, and is now working to bring attention to the concept. The campaign, concentrated in New York, includes radio commercials, direct mail, posters in subways and about 30 people dressed as a character called Box Boy, roaming the city representing the packages delivered by Soap.com. The New York Times (free registration) (11/1)  | 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. |
| Interactive Advertising |  | | | - Marketers prepare to lessen dependence on U.S. Postal Service
Higher postage rates and the possibility of a reduction in home delivery days, combined with technology that enables instant communication, are spurring marketers to plan for a future that's much less dependent on "snail mail." For example, rate increases and a shift to online shopping led 30-year-old multichannel merchant Plow & Hearth to craft a plan for reducing its use of catalogs. DMNews (11/1) | Shop.org Spotlight | | | | - Macy's, Brooks Brothers, Disney, HSN execs to headline Retail's BIG Show
NRF will celebrate its 100th Annual Convention this January in New York, and executives from some of the nation's top brands will be headlining the event. Throughout the event, Jan. 9 to 12, retail's most exciting and influential speakers will take the stage, including Macy's Chairman, President and CEO Terry Lundgren; Mark Zandi, chief economist and co-founder of Moody's Economy.com; and Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSN Inc. Read more. - What's Hot in Retail? We've got your list
The hottest items in retail last month included a slew of holiday-related resources, including blog posts on the top 10 trends for the 2010 holidays and a Q-and-A with Hobby Lobby's CEO on what to expect this season. Also popular: NRF's recently released economic analysis on the impact of a Value Added Tax. Read more.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody, rather than for somebody."
--Franklin Pierce Adams,
American newspaper columnist  |
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More than one-third of consumers ages 18 to 34 plan to use PayPal for their online holiday purchases. Source: 
