Blog and Research Digest — Week 39, 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
Online sales up by 51.6% in August on last year, but dip 2.5% month-on-month as retail recovers from Covid-19 lockdown
https://internetretailing.net/themes/online-sales-up-by-516-in-august-on-last-year-but-dip-25-month-on-month-as-retail-recovers-from-covid-19-lockdown-22006
“Overall, ecommerce appears to be retaining much of the growth that it achieved during lockdown, although sales have decreased slightly from July in most categories.”
Online offsets lost store sales, with shoppers spending more once they find a retailer online
https://internetretailing.net/retail-resilience/online-offsets-lost-store-sales-with-shoppers-spending-more-once-they-find-a-retailer-online-21994
“The data also shows that shoppers who only ever purchased from a retailer in-store prior to the pandemic spent, on average, 40% more when they shifted online to make purchases during the pandemic.”
In-app shopping rises above 2019 peak levels across the UK and Europe in lockdown
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/in-app-shopping-rises-above-2019-peak-levels-across-the-uk-and-europe-in-lockdown–21991
“In-app shopping activity has risen to new heights amid the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, seeing a 35% rise in ecommerce app installs – 12% higher than 2019 Q4 holiday season activity.”
Amazon offers luxury brands a new route to market
https://internetretailing.net/strategy-and-innovation/amazon-offers-luxury-brands-a-new-route-to-market-21987
“Amazon said today that it was moving into the luxury category, with selected shoppers to receive invitation-only access to brands including Oscar de la Renta via their mobile devices.”
Amazon launches luxury channel with Oscar de la Renta
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-launches-luxury-channel-with-oscar-de-la-renta/585243/
‘Through the “store within a store” setup, brands sell their collections directly and make their own inventory, selection and pricing decisions. Amazon offers merchandising tools “to create and personalize content,” and the app employs an interactive “View in 360” feature that allows customers to more easily view the details of certain styles.’
Amazon reveals that over 90% of listings in most categories are now from 3rd party sellers
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/09/18/amazon-reveals-that-over-90-of-listings-in-most-categories-are-now-from-3rd-party-sellers/
“Amazon’s key electronics category is reportedly made up of 96 per cent third-party products, alongside its beauty category, while its home and kitchen category was made up of a whopping 99 per cent.”
Amazon’s product quality woes extend beyond its Marketplace
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazons-product-quality-woes-extend-beyond-its-marketplace/585426/
‘Three U.S. Senators are demanding that Amazon “immediately stop selling any AmazonBasics products that are defective, notify consumers that are in possession of these products, and work with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to conduct swift and thorough recalls to remove these dangerous products from homes.”’
Walmart membership program grabbing consumer interest
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/walmart-membership-program-grabbing-consumer-interest/
“Just under half of consumers that shop online at least once a week are somewhat or very likely inclined to join Walmart’s membership program, Walmart+, which launches this week.”
Is the world’s largest retailer letting Amazon set the rules?
https://www.retaildive.com/news/is-the-worlds-largest-retailer-letting-amazon-set-the-rules/585255/
‘Walmart+ trades the retail giant’s “always low prices” promise for an exclusive convenience play that, so far, its online rival is winning.’
Consumers back to non-essential shopping, reveals study
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/consumers-back-to-non-essential-shopping-reveals-study/
“A good majority, 67%, of consumers are no longer just shopping for essentials due to the ongoing coronavirus but are also buying non-essentials. Just under three-quarters, 71%, of shoppers worldwide are feeling comfortable in returning to physical store settings.”
Love for online won’t fade once pandemic is over, claims study
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/love-for-online-wont-fade-once-pandemic-is-over-claims-study/
“Once the coronavirus pandemic subsides 86% of consumers will rely on online shopping at the same pace seen during COVID-19 and a big reason is convenience.”
Three ways Covid-19 has affected customers’ shopping behaviour, at Christmas 2020 and beyond
https://internetretailing.net/customer/three-ways-covid-19-has-affected-customers-shopping-behaviour-at-christmas-2020-and-beyond-research-22008
“How has shopping behaviour changed as a result of lockdown and what does that mean for Christmas shopping in 2020?”
Digital will dominate holiday shopping, claims research
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/digital-will-dominate-holiday-shopping-claims-research/
“Three in four plan to do most shopping online and 42% expect to begin shopping earlier than the previous year.”
Study: 20% of retailers ‘dependent’ on the holidays to survive
https://www.retaildive.com/news/study-20-of-retailers-dependent-on-the-holidays-to-survive/585416/
“It’s not clear how much consumers will spend this holiday season, but PayPal suggests in its survey that retailers are offering products through multiple channels online to potentially offset the loss of in-store shoppers.”