Walmart’s Focus on E-Commerce Is Paying Off
Walmart is pleased with the results of its decision to focus on increasing its e-commerce operations, according to the company's e-commerce operations CEO. "The investments we've made so far in our e-commerce business are delivering," Neil Ashe, who heads the retailer's e-commerce operations, said during a conference call to discuss annual earnings. "Revenue growth is accelerating and ahead of our plans." The company has updated its product search...read more >>
Big Retailers Confident They Can Compete with Amazon
There's been a lot of talk this week about Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos receiving an award from the National Retail Federation (NRF). As many news sources have pointed out, the NRF includes many members who are struggling to compete with Amazon. Competitors like Walmart claim to be undaunted by Bezos's promise to keep being a "pioneer" in the online retail space. "Amazon is a great competitor, but we’re all great competitors," Bill Simon, CEO of Walmart...read more >>
Dell’s Buying Spree Heats Up
Dell has been on a buying spree of late as it focuses on becoming a business services provider. The Austin-based computer technology company's software business already generates $1.2 billion, according to Internet Retailer. The most recent acquisition happened this week, when Dell announced it will buy Quest, a developer of security and performance monitoring software. The deal is valued at $2.4 billion. In May, Dell acquired cloud computing company...read more >>
Walmart to Offer Subscription Service
According to a recent Internet Retailer article, the retail chain Walmart will launch a subscription service called Goodies sometime next month. While the company has yet to reveal many details of the new program, it sounds like subscribers will receive monthly shipments of food and "artisanal" items. The items would be a picked by Walmart each month and would remain a mystery to the consumer until the box arrives. Besides the opportunity to re-enact...read more >>
The Fix Is In: Sony and Samsung Implement Price Protection
Nothing better illustrates the squeeze e-commerce has put on manufacturers than the recent introduction of UPP. No, this is not a defunct cable TV network from the 1990s known for showing mediocre Star Trek spinoffs and teen dramas (that would be UPN). I’m talking about unilateral pricing policy, a draconian pricing initiative instituted by electronics manufacturers such as Sony, Samsung, LG, Panasonic, and Pentax. In a nutshell, UPP prevents...read more >>
Tablets: M-Commerce or Not?
A recent article on Internet Retailer talks about the debate over whether or not tablets should be counted as m-commerce. It's an interesting discussion and one that will continue to get more focus as m-commerce sales keep climbing. Industry studies show that tablet sales are currently included in m-commerce figures and are widely considered a mobile device among retailers. Mark Beccue, a senior analyst at ABI Research, argues that e-commerce that...read more >>
Weekly Content Critique: Tens Unit
Recently, I found myself shopping for TENS units. Backstory: muscle pain, mildly slipped disc, chiropractor, application of TENS unit, pleasant relief from muscle pain, realization that I could buy such a machine for roughly the cost of one office visit. So I launched into the frustrating world of medical supply websites, which are not known for their easy navigation and good product pages. Around the same time, I read an Internet Retailer article...read more >>
Weekly Content Critique: Against Nudity
If we accept the rule of double negative elimination, I am for nudity. Because I'm most certainly against AgainstNudity.com, a clothing retailer of the H&M variety. This type of retailer focuses on clothing design rather than brand names; the nymphet shirt is a fine example. (Note: My objection is not to the aesthetic-over-brand mentality.) If they ever branch out to commercial advertising, I'm thinking they should hire Against Me! to do music...read more >>
Embrace User-Generated Content–Your Customers Do
If you've been leery or dismissive of user-generated content in the past, it's time to get over it. Yes, bad reviews sometimes result in a lost sale. However, reviews increasingly play a serious role in consumer decision making, especially for younger shoppers. Bazaarvoice Inc., along with two research firms, conducted a survey investigating shopping behavior of the millenial generation (which you have the privilege of belonging to if you were born...read more >>
Target Corp. Acts to Prevent Showrooming
Target Corp. has reportedly demanded exclusivity from its suppliers when it comes to some of the chain's best-selling products. According to an article in Internet Retailer, the chain feels undercut by e-retailers offering the same products for less money. Exclusivity would mean that if you want that sleek Michael Graves Tea Kettle, the only place you'll find it will be at a Target store or on Target.com. It's understandable that Target wants to avoid...read more >>