Blog and Research Digest — Week 09, 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 retail sales kicks off 2020 on a flat note
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/02/online-retail-sales-kicks-off-2020-flat-note/
“Online sales fall flat in January following late 2019 surge”
Retail sales grow overall in January – but a sharp decline in department store ecommerce sales hits non-food online
https://internetretailing.net/industry/retail-sales-grow-overall-in-january–but-a-sharp-decline-in-department-store-ecommerce-sales-hits-non-food-online-21008
“Retail bucked the longer-term trend of sales decline in January, with sales up both online and in-store compared to both the previous month and the previous year. But the longer-term trend still points to decline, according to the ONS Retail Sales report for January 2020.”
BorderX Lab reports traffic, customer growth amid coronavirus outbreak
https://www.retaildive.com/news/borderx-lab-reports-traffic-customer-growth-amid-coronavirus-outbreak/572533/
‘BorderX Lab, an e-commerce platform behind the Beyond app, has seen “increased web traffic and new user sign-ups as Chinese consumers are turning to e-commerce to buy luxury goods and essentials” following the COVID-19 outbreak, according to information sent to Retail Dive.’
Amazon and YouTube beats Currys and Argos to gain biggest share of Google’s page one searches for consumer electronics
https://internetretailing.net/industry/amazon-and-youtube-beats-currys-and-argos-to-gain-biggest-share-of-googles-page-one-searches-for-consumer-electronics-21001
“Amazon.co.uk is the most visible website overall in Google’s UK page one results when people search for consumer electronics topics such as computers, laptops, video and mobile phones according to a new study by Searchmetrics.”
Older Gen X shoppers driving explosion in online orders – and they don’t need fast delivery, says study
https://internetretailing.net/customer/older-gen-x-shoppers-driving-explosion-in-online-orders–and-they-dont-need-fast-delivery-says-study-21000
“Research conducted by YouGov for parcel locker provider InPost, reveals that 45 to 54-year olds are the most prolific online shoppers, confounding popular opinion that millennials dominate internet purchasing.”
BRC sets out its vision of an EU trade deal that works for shoppers – and retailers
https://internetretailing.net/industry/brc-sets-out-its-vision-of-an-eu-trade-deal-that-works-for-shoppers–and-retailers-20987
“In the document, A Fair Deal for Consumers, the BRC says that zero tariffs and “pragmatic solutions” on compliance and regulatory checks are essential for trade both between Great Britain and the EU and between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos pledges £7.7bn to fight climate change
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/02/amazon-boss-jeff-bezos-pledges-7-7bn-fight-climate-change/
“Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos to commit $10 billion (£7.7 billion) of his personal wealth to fund scientists, activists, non-profits and other groups fighting to protect the environment.”
Amazon is scrambling to prevent a coronavirus hit to Prime Day
https://qz.com/1806700/amazon-aims-to-prevent-prime-day-dip-amid-china-coronavirus-woes/
“Grappling with the coronavirus outbreak, Amazon is already taking steps to avoid supply-chain disruptions in China that could hurt its Prime Day sales event—a key revenue driver—taking place about five months from now.”
71% of Consumers Prefer Buying from Companies Aligned with Their Values
https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/02/brand-values-alignment.html
“Seventy one percent of consumers prefer buying from brands that align to their values. This statistic was unveiled by 5W Public Relations’ 2020 Consumer Culture Report.”
AI, AR, and New Tech
40% of UK consumers use AR and VR on phones to view products pre-purchase – opening up new marketing options, says DMA
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/40-of-uk-consumers-use-ar-and-vr-on-phones-to-view-products-pre-purchase–opening-up-new-marketing-options-says-dma-21002
“Two-fifths of Brits have used augmented (39%) or virtual (38%) reality to test or view a product they’re considering – but they are doing in on mobiles, as access to and ownership of VR headsets is declining year-on-year from 12% in 2018 to 9% last year.”
Social
Social shorts: Facebook launches Pinterest lookalike app, Instagram tests ‘Latest Posts’ feature, Snapchat could be getting a new look
https://marketingland.com/social-shorts-facebook-launches-pinterest-lookalike-app-instagram-tests-latest-posts-feature-snapchat-could-be-getting-a-new-look-276446
“The social media marketing week in review: A round up of news and announcements you may have missed.”
Opinion
Mindfulness in omnichannel retail – the key to a successful future
https://internetretailing.net/g2k/guest-comment-mindfulness-in-omnichannel-retail–the-key-to-a-successful-future
“Mindfulness and being more conscientious about the impact of retail operations is fast becoming a top business priority for online brands, and one we will continue to see develop in 2020.”
INTERVIEW Doug Gurr of Amazon on customer obsession
https://internetretailing.net/customer/interview-doug-gurr-of-amazon-on-customer-obsession-20976
“Doug Gurr, who leads Amazon in the UK, says its strategy is simple – it starts and ends with the customer.”