Will Google Create New Opportunities for Retailers?
Rumors have begun circulating that Google will begin taking orders for retail chains. The chains will then fulfill the online orders from their brick-and-mortar stores, in some cases offering same-day delivery. Internet Retailer's Don Davis calls this an "anti-Amazon strategy." "Stores know they are losing sales to Amazon, and fear they will lose even more now that most consumers enter stores with access to Amazon.com and other online retail sites...read more >>
Philips Sonicare Case Study: Quickly and Effectively Creating Content for Multiple Retailers
With numerous websites in the online marketplace, companies who sell online need easy ways to manage content on all their product pages. Philips Sonicare conquered this challenge by creating a multichannel strategy that gives the brand consistency and lets them turn content around quickly, with the help of content26. When Philips Sonicare launches new products, the company works with content26 to create accurate descriptions of the products, which...read more >>
Rakuten Buy.com Looks Ahead to 2013
We've been following Rakuten Buy.com this year, as the company's "merchant-centric" approach offers an interesting counterpoint to other large online retailers. The retailer predicts that 2013 will bring with it: A rise in curated commerce A growing interest in specialist retailers More mobile payment options and increased mobile integration Increased video use on e-commerce sites All of those seem like pretty safe bets. We'll be most interested...read more >>
The Store As Showroom
Online stores still haven't figured out how to replace the in-store experience. That's why there's a trend among Internet-only retailers to open their own physical stores, according to an article in the New York Times. Andy Dunn, founder of the Internet clothier Bonobos, admits that he scorned the brick-and-mortar concept early on. But he told the New York Times he's recently had a change of heart, opening a Bonobos store in Manhattan so that customers...read more >>
Content Merchandising Roundup #50
Below is a summary of the week's most interesting content merchandising-related posts from Content Ping as well as from other blogs and news sites. Happy reading. O3 USA Case Study: Small Company Scores Big Online Sales We recently created enhanced product content for O3 USA, a Virginia-based company specializing in kid-size backpacks and travel gear. We're happy to report that O3 has seen a jump in e-commerce sales and decrease in return rates since...read more >>
For Better or Worse: How Content Shapes the User Experience
Be sure to check out content26 co-founder Mark White's guest post on UX Booth. Mark hones in on how product page content shapes the online shopping experience. In this era of rampant online shopping, brands still need to spend money on sexy, Mad Men-style content, but that doesn't mean they can afford to ignore their product-detail pages. Manufacturers who create enhanced product descriptions win over customers ... and are more likely to make the...read more >>
“All the Cool Kids Have Enhanced Product Pages”
Are you a small online retailer wondering how to compete with big retailers such as Amazon this holiday season? Consider this: "Get a little rich media going. All the cool kids have enhanced product pages," George Simpson writes on the Online Media Daily blog. "If I have to call you with questions, that is points off for stupidity and laziness." ...read more >>
Google Shopping Transitions to a Paid Platform
Today, Google officially replaces its free Product Search with a paid shopping platform. As discussed in an earlier post, the controversial change means merchants must now pay to be listed on Google Shopping's search results pages. Google's move to a paid comparison shopping engine sends a big message: the company is making a step toward e-commerce and taking on Amazon--the world's most popular "first stop" in shoppers' online product research. Critics...read more >>
Rakuten Buy.com Infographic: How We Shop
How much time do Buy.com consumers spend researching electronics before they hit the buy button? What are the most browsed categories on the e-commerce site? What types of products are sold on Buy.com? This infographic breaks down the major categories as well as the shopping habits of Buy.com users in the United States. For those interested in learning more about the site, please check out our overview of Buy.com's evolution from consumer electronics...read more >>
Rakuten Buy.com: A Merchant-Centric Approach to E-Commerce
"Buy from people, not the Internet." Among thousands of silly marketing slogans, the one shared by Buy.com and its Japanese parent-company Rakuten offers more substance than most. In an environment where some consumers picture mega-e-tailers as "vending machines," Rakuten Buy.com tries to distinguish itself as a marketplace in which customers can connect with real-life merchants. "We don't throw a cloak over the merchant but instead introduce you...read more >>