E-Commerce/Omni-Channel

E-Retailers Say They Continue to Struggle With Cross-Border Demand

December 2, 2016

E-commerce has been the dominant force for change in the air cargo logistics business for the last several years, but online retailers, forwarders, carriers and integrators say they are still struggling with ways to keep up with the intense demand from international customers to deliver them the world instantly. This was the main theme of the plenary session, "Cross-border E-Commerce: Who Will Rule the Game?", at last week's Asian Logistics and Maritime Conference (ALMC) in Hong Kong.

Dialing Up Deals: Black Friday Online Sales Hit New High

December 2, 2016

Los Angeles Times

Holiday shoppers eager to snag big discounts turned to the internet in record fashion this week, one tracking company said, driving online sales on Black Friday to a new high. Consumers spent $3.34bn shopping online on Friday, a 21.6 percent increase from the same day last year, according to Adobe, which tracks online retail transactions.

Macy's China Experiment Shows the Potential of Retail VR

December 1, 2016

Computerworld

Macy's this month made its debut appearance within Alibaba's Singles' Day in China. Well, sort of. It participated via a virtual reality shopping tour app featuring Macy's New York City flagship, which bills itself as the world's largest department store.

Report Says Shoppers Expect Better Deals to Come in December

December 1, 2016

Apparel

The 2016 International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Thanksgiving/Black Friday Shopping Report shows that three quarters of Americans spent the same or more this year than last year, and 44 percent of that spend was on gifts for other people. Americans shopping on Thanksgiving and/or Black Friday spent an average of $373, including approximately $100 on dining and entertainment in a shopping center.

Amazon Prime Membership Grows 23 Percent Year-Over-Year, Research Says

November 30, 2016

Air Cargo World

The latest membership estimates for Amazon.com's Amazon Prime service show that the e-retailer's bid to consolidate consumer spending onto one platform has now attracted almost one in six Americans, according to independent research by Cowen & Co. In addition to signing up some 50 million Amazon Prime customers, the company expanded into car sales last week, teaming up with Fiat to sell cars in Italy.

Amazon, Target, Nike Among Social Media Top Performers, Study Shows

November 29, 2016

Consumer Goods Technology

Lithium Technologies released findings from its State of Social Engagement 2016 study that uncovers how well Fortune 1000 retail brands are engaging with consumers across social platforms. The study showed that retailers are prioritizing engagement, collaboration with influencers and online communities in order to bolster customer satisfaction, and ultimately, sales.

Survey: More Than Half of Consumers Have Started Holiday Shopping

November 29, 2016

Apparel

With the middle of the holiday season approaching and shoppers eager to take advantage of early promotions from retailers, more than half of consumers have started making dents in their holiday gift lists, according to the annual mid-season survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Walmart Shares Plan for Worldwide E-Commerce Domination

November 29, 2016

RIS News

To compete in the ongoing online retailing arms race, Walmart is bringing its sizable resources to bear to capture not only the U.S., but the global e-commerce market. CEO Doug McMillon recently laid out four priorities for the retailer as it looks to not only continue to dominate the physical retail space but make significant inroads in e-commerce: Make every day easier for busy families, operate with discipline, be the most trusted retailer, and deliver results and position the company to win.

137.4 Million Consumers Plan to Shop Thanksgiving Weekend

November 23, 2016

MultiChannel Merchant

With the election behind them, consumers are eager to see the deals retailers will offer for the biggest shopping weekend of the year, with 59 percent of Americans - an estimated 137.4 million people - planning to or considering shopping during Thanksgiving weekend, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Pitney Bowes Forecasts Parcel Shipping Volume Increase Through 2018

November 21, 2016

Pitney Bowes

Pitney Bowes, a global commerce technology company, says parcel shipping volume will grow at an annual rate of 5 to 7 percent through 2018, with cross border shipping leading the way, according to the company's Parcel Shipping Index annual report.