First Physical App Store Opens its Doors
The world's first brick-and-mortar app store, called OpenSpace, opened its very tangible doors this week in Boulder, Colorado. Considering that all other app stores reside in the pockets of smartphone users, the role of a physical store seems questionable. Mashable reports that OpenSpace intends to give app users a place to learn about and discover new apps, thus adding some variety to the app buying and browsing experience. A major idea behind...read more >>
Consumer Comfort and Expectations of E- and M-Commerce
With an eye on holiday sales statistics, The Washington Post reports that an initial IBM Benchmark sales tracker report shows a 33 percent rise in online sales during yesterday's Cyber Monday. Though statistics aren't official until retailers report their November sales this coming Thursday, the report is consistent with predictions for other major holiday shopping days. Sales are rising everywhere, including in brick-and-mortar establishments, but...read more >>
Nordstrom Delivers Instant Gratification
I consider myself part of the 99 percent...of shoppers who refuse to queue up anywhere for the start of Black Friday. Much more tempting for me will be the chance to shop online and know that I could be swathed in cashmere by dinnertime. Just in time for the holidays, the fashion retailer Nordstrom has rolled out same-day deliveries in several markets. For $10 (less than the cost of parking and a cappuccino) online shoppers can order from...read more >>
Black Friday Mobilization
The New York Times reports that the long lines and impatient customers typical of Black Friday may offer a new way for online retailers such as Amazon to leverage their m-commerce capabilities. This year, in addition to providing online-only Black Friday deals, online retailers will also promote mobile-only deals that kick in at the same time as those in the physical stores. If customers are aggravated by the physical experience of dealing with crowds,...read more >>
E-Retailers Bringing Black Friday to Facebook
According to a recent article on Internet Retailer, 44 percent of consumers are planning to use social media during their holiday shopping. Stats like that are enough for e-retailers to stuff their Facebook fans full of discounts. Retail giants Walmart and Best Buy are throwing out sneak peeks of Black Friday deals to get shoppers ready for deep savings, while others are betting on creating a buzz through competition. Amazon.com subsidiary Quidsi,...read more >>
The Holidays: Not Over Yet
For those of us in the 49 percent, who plan to start shopping closer to December 16, 17, 18... 24... virtual gift cards are a relieving solution. Starbucks, Overstock.com, Best Buy, Gap Inc., Pizza Hut, Staples, and American Express all offer a virtual gift card option, and it looks like more retailers will be jumping in. A signal of a larger trend, the virtual gift card stole 4 percent of last year's total gift card market. Target and Starbucks...read more >>
‘Tis the Season
I'm quite sure Halloween has evolved to become an official observance and celebration of the coming of the retail-crazed holiday season. Every year at this time, thousands of rosy-cheeked retailers and shoppers sit in the mellow glow of their computer monitors, jacked up on chocolate, caramel, and nougat, reading article upon article about the impending nationwide shopping spree. Like a puppy on his first car ride, we are elated at the possibilities,...read more >>
Lowe’s and Sears Look to Upgrade Services
Lowe's Offers New Service Hardware Giant Lowe's is offering its customers what seems to be a smart new online service. Set to launch this week, "MyLowe's" will offer a personalized online account that will let users make their own home profiles, create dedicated project folders, and track and store all purchases and activity. The goal is to distinguish Lowe's from its competitors and generate loyalty. Also notable--the service will be available on...read more >>
America’s Next Top Tablet and Maturing Mobile Engagement
Much like Kleenex is to "facial tissues," the Apple iPad has become nearly synonymous with "tablet." Competitors have fought bravely--companies like Toshiba and HP offer devices that, by most accounts, function just fine, and they do so at prices so low they generally garner a loss on the hardware. Still, the iPad forges ahead with multitudes of loyal Apple devotees. But it seems a true challenger might yet appear. Amazon is set to release its new...read more >>
Bringing the Holidays to the Phone, Creating Competitive Content, and Investing in Free Shipping
As we approach the holiday season (what, can't you feel the lights waiting to spring to storefront windows?), smartphones should be moving to the forefront of every merchandiser's mind. Research Director Derek Eccleston, interviewed for Equi=Media's post, noted that, "As we continue to be gripped by the M-commerce revolution--where the consumer now holds the power to shop where, when, and how they like--it is crucial that retailers have a strong...read more >>