Blog and Research Digest — Week 15, 2020
Every week, the Digishare team prepare a digest of the previous 7 days of online retail news. Along the way, we’ll pick the most interesting stories from the worlds of technology, social media, marketing and more, allowing you to see everything at a glance.
Retail News and Trends
How different categories are selling online: IMRG
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/updated-coronavirus-round-up-imrg-hm-arcadia-joules-mintel-pets-at-home-the-hut-group-and-rare-on-the-developing-pandemic-21209
“Online sales rose by 0.6% in the last week of March (starting March 22) and by 10.3% compared to the previous week, new IMRG data suggests. But while the data, shared on an IMRG webinar this week, shows overall online sales holding their ground, different categories are faring very differently.”
Following COVID-19: How coronavirus pandemic is impacting retail
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/following-covid-19-how-coronavirus-pandemic-is-impacting-retail/
US-focused stories collected by date
As ecommerce grows, online shoppers are getting more bang for their buck, index suggests
https://internetretailing.net/industry/as-ecommerce-grows-online-shoppers-are-getting-more-bang-for-their-buck-index-suggests-21196
“The rise in ecommerce is driving increased sales of some key items – and falls in sales of others – but it is also seeing shoppers get more for their money.”
Online orders up 88% globally driven by demand for tools, toys and cosmetics, traffic study shows
https://internetretailing.net/industry/online-orders-up-88-globally-driven-by-demand-for-tools-toys-and-cosmetics-traffic-study-shows-21195
“Nationwide lockdowns around the world have created increased demand for products that can be used at home, with online retailers offering tools and building materials showing enormous growth.”
First week of stay at home guidance sees mixed online sales results
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/03/first-week-of-stay-at-home-guidance-sees-mixed-online-sales-results/
“According to the Online Retail Index from IMRG and Capgemini, the week commencing March 15 saw online retails sales decline by 2.2 per cent year-on-year.”
RetailX tracker: how has the way we shop changed, two weeks into coronavirus?
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/retailx-tracker-how-has-the-way-we-shop-changed-two-weeks-into-coronavirus-21175
“Electronics retailer Dixons Carphone has said shoppers are buying more technology as they spend more time living, working and being entertained at home. RetailX findings suggest that the number who are spending more in this area is lower than those who are spending less or have stopped spending altogether.”
RetailX Coronavirus Consumer Confidence Tracker – 25th March
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/retailx-coronavirus-consumer-confidence-tracker—25th-march-21174
“This week the tracker reveals that 24% of shoppers have changed how they shop (mostly going online instead of offline) and that they will retain this behaviour even after the crisis has abated.”
Online spending patterns for ‘stay at home’ consumers mapped
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/online-spending-patterns-for-stay-at-home-consumers-mapped-21155
“Payment data from countries initially impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19, covering Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong – has been mapped by mobile payment company Bango to assess likely shifts in consumer behaviour in Europe and the US.”
Traffic to US retail stores has almost entirely vanished due to Covid-19
https://qz.com/1829531/covid-19-has-caused-us-retail-traffic-to-almost-entirely-vanish/
“In a research note sent to clients today, investment firm Cowen and Company estimated total foot traffic to US retailers was down 97.6% for the week through March 27 compared to the same time last year.”
The lessons Nike learned in China during the coronavirus outbreak
https://qz.com/1825248/what-nike-learned-in-china-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
“In the three months through Feb. 29, Nike reported … more than 30% growth in its online sales in greater China versus the same period last year.”
Amazon Is Delaying Its Summer ‘Prime Day’ Promotion: Reuters
https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-04-03/amazon-is-delaying-its-summer-prime-day-promotion-reuters
“Amazon.com Inc. will delay its July “Prime Day” sales event at least until August, according to a report from Reuters.”
Amazon Primed: More Internal Memo Leaks, Prime Day Delayed
https://www.forbes.com/sites/paularmstrongtech/2020/04/05/amazon-primed-more-internal-memo-leaks-prime-day-delayed-pushes-harder-into-video-games/#49497d477ee9
“Amazon got royally dinged for leaked internal memos this week surrounding how to handle unionists.”
Amazon succumbs to pressure announcing it will provide face masks and temperature checks for all staff
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/04/03/amazon-succumbs-to-pressure-and-will-provide-face-masks-and-temperature-checks-for-all-staff/
“All locations will reportedly have surgical masks available for staff by early next week, and the ecommerce giant said it would start testing hundreds of thousands of staff a week using no-contact forehead thermometers.”
Amazon under investigation by New York City’s human rights commission after sacking strike organiser
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/04/01/amazon-under-investigation-by-new-york-citys-human-rights-commission-after-sacking-strike-organiser/
“Smalls alleges that Amazon sacked him in retaliation for leading the strike, which Amazon says was attended by 15 staff despite some sources reporting around 60 attendees.”
Amazon “living hell to work for” as staff complain operations continuing as usual
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/03/27/amazon-living-hell-to-work-for-as-staff-complain-operations-continuing-as-usual/
“However numerous anonymous sources have complained that swathes of non-essential orders were being fulfilled and workers are being put at unnecessary risk.”
Mobile
Retail app downloads and conversions hit new heights as brands engage and entertain during lockdown
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/retail-app-downloads-and-conversions-hit-new-heights-as-brands-engage-and-entertain-during-lockdown-21198
“Levels of app downloads last week peaked on the weekend of the 27-28 March, beating Cyber Monday 2019 and almost catching up with the record levels seen on the last Black Friday.”
VR, AR, and AI
IKEA furthers virtual design vision by acquiring AI imaging start-up
https://internetretailing.net/themes/ikea-furthers-virtual-design-vision-by-acquiring-ai-imaging-start-up-21211
“IKEA has acquired a US-based AI imaging company as it looks to make it easier for customers to use technology to plan designs.”
Opinion
The Big Question: Should retailers of ‘non-essential’ goods continue trading online?
https://www.retail-week.com/technology/the-big-question-should-retailers-of-non-essential-goods-continue-trading-online/7034531.article
“As the retail industry faces unprecedented challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic, Retail Week asks industry experts for their view on the biggest questions of the moment.”
Analysis: Can non-essential retailers trade online without damaging their brand?
https://www.retail-week.com/general-merchandise/analysis-can-non-essential-retailers-trade-online-without-damaging-their-brand/7034505.article
“Should they, as retailers of items deemed not to be essential, continue to operate online, or should they shut their digital shops as well as their physical ones?”
Marketing
How to Make the Case for Content Marketing in Uncertain Times
https://contently.com/2020/03/30/make-case-content-marketing-uncertain-times/
“In the face of that uncertainty, companies are tightening their belts. A number of people have reached out to me asking for advice on how to protect their budget and make the case for content.”
How to Brainstorm Great Lead Generation Content
https://contently.com/2020/03/24/brainstorm-great-lead-generation-content/
“As more downloadable e-books, guides, webinars, and reports flood the web, it’s harder and harder to get people to convert. That’s because most lead gen content isn’t very good, and people are wary of falling into the marketing funnel of hell.”
7 Brands Getting Email Right During a Crisis
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/04/email-marketing-crisis-examples/
“Let’s take a look at seven examples of brands that are rising to the occasion to deliver value, offer assistance, and promote togetherness – even though we all need to stand six feet apart.”
How to Create a Persuasive About Us Page that Converts
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/03/persuasive-about-us-page-examples/
“If your brand has fallen into that default mode, pivot now with this advice to craft a strategic, effective About Us story.”
7 Free Ways to Get Original Data for Your Content
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/03/free-original-data-content/
“The catch? You have to be clever. So I asked a group of clever marketers to suggest how to generate original data on a budget and use the resulting insights to create effective content.”