Blog and Research Digest — Week 10, 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
NRF says retail sales this year could top $3.9T despite coronavirus woes
https://www.retaildive.com/news/nrf-says-retail-sales-this-year-could-top-39t-despite-coronavirus-woes/573224/
“The National Retail Federation on Wednesday released its 2020 retail growth forecast, sticking with its estimate that sales this year will rise 3.5% to 4.1% to more than $3.9 trillion, despite ‘uncertainty’ around the trade war, the COVID-19 outbreak (a disease caused by a member of the coronavirus family) and the presidential election, according to a press release”
Online shoppers becoming less willing to compromise privacy for personalised experiences: study
https://internetretailing.net/marketing/online-shoppers-becoming-less-willing-to-compromise-privacy-for-personalised-experiences-study-21020
“More than half (53%) of shoppers around the world want brands to respect their online anonymity, according to Episerver’s fourth-annual Reimagining Commerce research report. But at the same time, 61% want companies to prioritise personalisation.”
Consumers like their digital commerce to be mobile, social and personal — with a side of Amazon
https://marketingland.com/consumers-like-their-digital-commerce-to-be-mobile-social-and-personal-with-a-side-of-amazon-276585
“Being an online retailer is harder than ever, with more opportunities but also more channels and risks.”
Walmart’s answer to Amazon Prime is in the works
https://www.retaildive.com/news/walmarts-answer-to-amazon-prime-is-in-the-works/573225/
“Walmart has created a new online membership program dubbed Walmart+, a company spokesperson confirmed for Retail Dive without disclosing details.”
Coronavirus
Time to plan for UK coronavirus outbreak that could see shopping move further online – fast
https://internetretailing.net/industry/time-to-plan-for-uk-coronavirus-outbreak-that-could-see-shopping-move-further-online–fast-21035
“The UK retail and logistics industries are today warned to take action now to plan for the potential effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus.”
Coronavirus will cost the luxury industry an estimated $40 billion
https://qz.com/1807385/coronavirus-will-cost-the-luxury-industry-an-estimated-40-billion/
“Now a survey of top luxury executives estimates the total hit to the industry’s sales could reach as high as €40 billion ($43.4 billion), Vogue Business reports.”
Coronavirus: How long will retail be immune?
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/02/coronavirus-how-long-will-retail-be-immune/
“It’s no secret that retail – along with countless industries – is feeling the heat of the coronavirus outbreak. Many have been forced to close stores in China as a result, while others have already warned on supply shortages.”
Ethical Shopping
UK consumers are becoming more socially and environmentally responsible – and are calling out brands that make ‘meaningless’ climate pledges
https://internetretailing.net/sustainability/uk-consumers-are-becoming-more-socially-and-environmentally-responsible–and-are-calling-out-brands-that-make-meaningless-climate-pledges-21022
“Research among 2,264 UK internet users aged 16–64, reveals UK consumers are increasingly environmentally aware and that affects the brands they choose to interact with – and they will call out those that make ‘meaningless’ environmental pledges.”
Pinterest pinners are increasingly becoming ‘Conscious Consumers’ as it finds environment top of the agenda
https://internetretailing.net/sustainability/pinterest-pinners-are-increasingly-becoming-conscious-consumers-as-it-finds-environment-top-of-the-agenda-21025
“More evidence that shoppers are changing how they shop, what they buy and who they buy it from comes from Pinterest this week, which has assessed what its shoppers are doing – and finds that conscious consumption is growing rapidly.”
SEO
Is SEO dead in 2020?
https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2020/02/27/is-seo-dead-in-2020/
“The death of SEO is a topic that’s been batted around for years but is 2020 the year SEO, an industry with a history dating back more than 25 years, finally kicks the bucket?”
Social
Stories are coming to LinkedIn
https://marketingland.com/stories-are-coming-to-linkedin-276765
“The platform is finally giving in to the trends of its social counterparts.”
Opinion
Walmart’s $50bn onslaught on Amazon has lessons for all
https://www.retail-week.com/technology/opinion-walmarts-50bn-onslaught-on-amazon-has-lessons-for-all/7034207.article
“Walmart might have disappointed analysts with a fourth-quarter sales slowdown, but its online business is powering ahead amid a concerted counterattack on Amazon.”
Former Amazon exec on the state of retail e-commerce
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/articles/former-amazon-exec-on-the-state-of-retail-e-commerce/
“And while Amazon [reigns] supreme, and often cited as the one to beat in e-commerce, the mega omnichannel player’s marketplace can be a prime opportunity for online retailers big and small, brand name or no name.”
Marketing
No One Can Break Your Content Rules If They Don’t Exist
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/02/break-content-rules/
“In business, both the formal and informal rules become part of our corporate culture – and make up (in both good and bad ways) the fabric of our strategies.”