Internet Retailing

In 2010, many warehouses would still have been regarded as a neglected cost centre. Now, moving into 2020, the warehouse is a carefully managed control centre and very often the strategic hub of e-commerce within an ever-extending supply chain.

Red Box Vape Ltd has finalised a deal to acquire Vapour Lounge with 5 retail store outlets across Scotland as part of its continuing acquisition programme. This transaction will add a further £0.75m to turnover. The company is one of the fastest-growing UK brands in the sector.

18-24-year-olds (44%) are more likely to be influenced to buy a product or service online if they’re given a personalised offer, compared to those aged over 55 (24%), research has revealed. However, while it’s been established that the younger generation is influenced by a more bespoke approach, a shocking 57% of all those surveyed agree that the offers they receive online are ‘mostly irrelevant’.

The influence of China on global card acceptance is shown by the fact that Discover is accepted at more outlets than Visa and Mastercard as a result of agreements with UnionPay and other schemes

Data visualisation, reporting and analytics software developer Panintelligence has appointed Howard Bell, a seasoned commercial and technology growth specialist, as chair.

DSV and Marimekko in Finland have signed a partnership agreement. As a result, Marimekko’s central warehouse operations will be moved to DSV’s new warehouse in Vantaa in the beginning of 2020.

In the backdrop of increasing demand for compact and cost-efficient protective packaging solutions, the growth outlook of global padded mailers market will remain positive during the forecast period (2019 - 2029). A new study projects healthy 5% CAGR for padded mailer sales during the period of projection.

Amidst an uncertain and challenging landscape, commerce chiefs across the board are presenting a positive front; nearly four-fifths (79%) of digital commerce leaders feel ready to take advantage of the opportunities digital commerce has to offer, according to a study from Wunderman Thompson Commerce.

UK online conversion rates rose by 44% on the daily average on Black Friday – up 3% year-on-year - according to data from iAdvize, the conversational commerce provider, while Cyber Monday conversions increased 27% compared to an average Monday.

By Sarah Robinson, Retail Skills Tutor, Qube Learning

Originating in the United States as a post-Thanksgiving start to Christmas shopping, Black Friday has been a shopping trend in the UK for less than a decade. However, the seasonal discount day gained popularity quickly and has not only become a solid fixture in the retail calendar but has grown into a week-long show of retail sales and discounts – both online and in-store.