The pandemic has been a catalyst for change, way beyond our expectations. Ecommerce has been propelled to new heights, with online order volumes swamping conventional fulfilment centres. Now, as a second wave sweeps the country, are businesses ready for the predicted mega-peaks of a Covid Christmas? By Jo Bradley, Business Development Manager for packaging solutions at Quadient.
Internet Retailing, Omnichannel Retailing
Internet retailing, also known as e-tailing, is the sale of goods and services through the internet. It can include business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) sales of products and services. Online shopping or e-shopping is a form of electronic commerce which allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from a seller over the Internet using a web browser. Internet retailers can be purely digital, meaning there is no physical store for a customer to enter. However, an e-retail business can also be a brick-and-mortar shop with an online presence. Omnichannel retailing is a retail strategy that integrates multiple channels, such as brick-and-mortar stores, online stores, and mobile apps, to create a seamless shopping experience for customers.
Kooomo announces new updates to improve the customer experience
Dec 16, 2020
Global eCommerce platform, Kooomo, has announced further updates to its platform, including improved accuracy of stock, increased garment context through updated size charts, greater flexibility when managing cookies and a progress bar which indicates how close a consumer is to qualifying for free shipping.
Report: UK shoppers fear e-commerce environmental impact
Dec 16, 2020
More than half (57%) of UK online shoppers worry that the rise in online shopping is a threat for the environment, a new report has found.
eCommerce sites optimised for Black Friday increased revenue by 330%, says Kooomo
Dec 09, 2020
With lockdown restrictions driving an increase in web traffic, retailers who optimised their eCommerce stores for Black Friday secured a 330% increase in average monthly revenue this year.
A peak on top of peak – Ecommerce revenues rise +144% in November, Wunderkind’s data reveals
Dec 08, 2020
Ecommerce revenues saw a ‘peak on top of peak’ during Black Friday week, the latest data from Wunderkind, formerly BounceX’s Marketing Pulse, revealed, with online spending up 144% in November.
The data dilemma - how can retailers avoid losing customer data to commence giants like Amazon
Dec 08, 2020
By Sam Counterman, Director of Marketing, Northern Europe & Global Digital Lead at Selligent.
As the landscape continues to shift, and Amazon profits continue to rise (with a 37% increase reported in its recent third quarter results) it’s never been more important for retailers to assess their Amazon strategy.
Online shopping has changed logistics forever
Dec 08, 2020
From conveying systems to packing robotics, the logistics and warehousing industry is one that has made use of automation for years to keep ahead of demand. Here, Stephen Hayes, managing director of Beckhoff UK, the industrial automation control technology supplier, looks at the evolution of warehouse automation technology and new technological innovations helping the logistics industry.
Digital recruitment skyrocketing as organisations increase their online presence
Dec 07, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to re-think their digital strategies, leading to a sheer increase in the demand for digital talent, this is according to ecommerce & digital talent acquisition agency Beringer Tame, which has seen a 100% increase in organisations looking to fill roles in comparison to this time last year.
Retailers’ final Christmas order dates are in meltdown, so shop now, urges ParcelHero
Dec 07, 2020
Despite High Street stores re-opening, online Christmas orders are still booming. Many stores are now pulling back final order dates to ensure delivery, while others have axed services, warns home delivery expert ParcelHero.
Simplify supply chain complexity and seize the future
Dec 07, 2020
By Karl H. Lauri, managing team member at MRPeasy.com.
The combination of globalisation, e-commerce and the Internet has blown apart the post-war ‘standard business model’, which saw large companies enjoying ever-greater economies of scale through mass production and mass marketing.
Internet Retailing
Internet retailing, also known as e-tailing or online retailing, is the sale of goods and services over the internet. It is a type of electronic commerce (e-commerce) that allows consumers to purchase products and services directly from retailers without having to visit a physical store.
Internet retailers can sell a wide variety of products, including clothing, electronics, books, home goods, and more. They can also offer a variety of services, such as online payments, shipping, and returns.
There are many different types of internet retailers, including:
- Pure-play retailers: These retailers only sell products online. They do not have any physical stores.
- Multichannel retailers: These retailers sell products both online and in physical stores.
- Marketplaces: These retailers provide a platform for other retailers to sell their products.
Internet retailing has become increasingly popular in recent years. In 2022, global e-commerce sales were estimated to be $4.9 trillion. This number is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
There are many reasons for the growth of internet retailing. Some of the reasons include:
- The convenience of shopping online.
- The wider selection of products available online.
- The lower prices that can often be found online.
- The ability to shop from anywhere in the world.
Internet retailing has a number of advantages for both consumers and retailers. For consumers, it offers the convenience of shopping from home, the ability to compare prices from different retailers, and the opportunity to find products that are not available in physical stores. For retailers, it offers the opportunity to reach a wider audience, reduce costs, and improve customer service.
However, there are also some challenges associated with internet retailing. Some of the challenges include:
- The need to protect customer data.
- The need to ensure that products are delivered on time and in good condition.
- The need to provide effective customer service.
Omnichannel retailing
Omni-Channel Retailing is the evolution of Multi-Channel Retailing, but is concentrated more on a seamless approach to the consumer experience through all available shopping channels, i.e. mobile internet devices, computers, brick-and-mortar, television, radio, direct mail, catalog and so on. Retailers are meeting the new customer demands by deploying specialized supply chain strategy software. To use all channels simultaneously, retailers using an omni- channel approach will track customers across all channels, not just one or two.
Omnichannel retailing is a retail strategy that integrates multiple channels, such as brick-and-mortar stores, online stores, and mobile apps, to create a seamless shopping experience for customers. This means that customers can start their shopping journey on one channel and seamlessly transition to another channel without having to start over.
For example, a customer might start by browsing for products on a retailer's website, then use the retailer's mobile app to compare prices, and finally visit a brick-and-mortar store to make a purchase. The retailer would track the customer's journey across all channels and make sure that the customer's information is consistent across all channels.
Omnichannel retailing is becoming increasingly important as more and more customers are using multiple channels to shop. A study by Salesforce found that 73% of customers use multiple channels during their shopping journey.
There are many benefits to omnichannel retailing, including:
- Increased customer satisfaction: Customers appreciate being able to shop however they want, and they are more likely to be satisfied with their shopping experience if they can seamlessly transition between channels.
- Increased sales: Omnichannel retailers are able to reach more customers and sell more products by offering their products and services across multiple channels.
- Improved customer loyalty: Omnichannel retailers are able to build stronger relationships with their customers by providing them with a more personalized and convenient shopping experience.
