Online retailers emphasize free shipping, social media for the holidays

October 29, 2009

The economy is not only impacting shoppers, it`s affecting online retailers, too. According to results of Shop.org`s eHoliday Study, conducted by BIGresearch…

Survey: Returns fraud will cost retailers $9.6 billion in 2009

October 28, 2009

Though return fraud continues to plague the retail industry, changes in policies have helped companies see improvements in some areas. According to NRF's…

Ebay working to keep up with customer experience expectations

October 18, 2009

AdAge reports this morning that Ebay has tasked itself with keeping up with online retail sites like Amazon and Zappos, and much of that reorganizing will be…

September retail sales see modest increases thanks to weather, late back-to-school sales

October 13, 2009

Consumers opened up their wallets last month to treat themselves to new Fall apparel and other discretionary purchases, helping September retail sales see…

Freakonomics co-author to speak at NRF 2010

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Journalist Stephen Dubner has been added to the roster of "retail's big show," taking place this January in New York.

Amazon UK offering free shipping for the holidays

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 12, 2009

England-based Retail Week reports that Amazon UK is offering free shipping on all orders between now and Jan. 1, 2010.

Consumers say holiday budgets are tight, 85 percent will shop online

October 8, 2009

Eighty-five percent of consumers plan to shop online and 69 percent plan to make an online holiday purchase, based on results of a new survey from Burst.

Online shopping a 'work in progress,' says report

October 7, 2009

A new report released this week from Tealeaf Technology and Harris Interactive shows that the use of websites for transactions is growing and that while the…

Top 10 brand and marketing trends for 2010

A new definition of value, growing consumer expectations among the things brands and retailers will need to watch for.

Report: Store-based retailers see the most potential in mobile

September 30, 2009

RSR Research's latest report, "Online Commerce in 2009: The Model Has Changed — Have Retailers?" finds that store-based retailers see the greatest…

Virgin Mobile woos shoppers with free beer

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 28, 2009

The new Virgin Mobile web site in Australia uses new nomenclature when describing its customers — in fact, they are no longer called customers, but rather…

Combating Fraud in International Shipping

The international market is potentially lucrative for U.S. retailers, but the complexities of shipping overseas, as well as the need to combat fraud, makes…

RetailWire Discussion: Brands not connecting with women through social media

A new study finds that three out of four women who engage with brands via social networking sites say they are not influenced to purchase based on what they…

Restoration Hardware attempts to differentiate — by raising prices

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 23, 2009

It's a move that raises eyebrows at any time, much less during a bad economy, but high-end furnishings retailer Restoration Hardware is raising its prices in…

How mobile will reshape the customer experience

Mobile applications for smart phones are poised to be the future of retailer communications with shoppers.

E-tail clinic: Amazon.com

It's the king of online retail and a serious competitor to many a brick-and-mortar. But just how good is the Amazon customer experience?

Walmart displays emphasize 'family night'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 13, 2009

Mega-retailer Walmart has already rolled out one recession-driven ad blitz, in which it emphasizes how families can make homemade meals for just a few dollars…

Halfords reaches one millionth online reservation for in-store pickup

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 10, 2009

British retailer Halfords launched a "reserve and collect" feature on its web site last year, and it appears to be clicking with customers: The company…

Study: Community features drive traffic, sales to online retailers

September 10, 2009

As social networks proliferate and consumers report spending more of their time online, e-commerce is ripe to weave community into the customer experience. On…

RetailWire Discussion: Guys join the 'get out of shopping' club

Where does the shopping-averse and fashion-challenged male go for help? One answer is Trunk Club, a new online personal shopping service.