Blog and Research Digest — Week 24, 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
Retail footfall down 73% in May
https://www.theretailbulletin.com/shopping-centres-and-retail-parks/retail-footfall-down-73-in-may-08-06-2020/
“Retail footfall dropped by 73.3% in May as the Covid-19 lockdown continued across the UK.”
Online sales rise at record rate as non-essential shops stayed closed during May lockdown: BDO
https://internetretailing.net/themes/online-sales-rise-at-record-rate-as-non-essential-shops-stayed-closed-during-may-lockdown-bdo-21507
“Overall like-for-like sales fell by 18.3%, according to the BDO High Street Sales Tracker, covering the five weeks to May 31, as online sales grew by 129.5% compared to May 2019, and store sales were down by 87.1%.”
New lockdown habits here to stay as ‘most plan to keep spending more frequently online’ says Visa
https://internetretailing.net/payment/new-lockdown-habits-here-to-stay-as-most-plan-to-keep-spending-more-frequently-online-says-visa–21498
“As restrictions on non-essential retail begin to lift, the research reveals that many of our new shopping habits will be here to stay, with two fifths (41%) shopping online more frequently the majority (74%) of those will continue to do so.”
77% of consumers say they have bought more during lockdown and will continue to do so
https://internetretailing.net/customer/77-of-consumers-say-they-have-bought-more-during-lockdown-and-will-continue-to-do-so–21500
“42% say they will continue to purchase more groceries, including beverages, online. 20% will continue to purchase more clothing, 11% more footwear, 16% more home, garden and DIY products, 18% more healthcare, 11% beauty and cosmetics, 6% more luxury goods and 11% will continue to purchase more technology online.”
Most consumers not ready to resume regular life
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/most-consumers-not-ready-to-resume-regular-life/
“While retailers and restaurants are re-opening and businesses begin to resume regular operations a good number of consumers are not as ready.”
eBay outlines ‘lockdown spend trends’ and points to how important ‘live’ data is to tapping into the ecommerce boom
https://internetretailing.net/marketing/ebay-outlines-lockdown-spend-trends-and-points-to-how-important-live-data-is-to-tapping-into-the-ecommerce-boom-21496
“New insights released by eBay reveal how shopping habits shifted as the UK entered lockdown on 23 March 2020 and, as all but essential physical stores closed doors, online became the default way the nation shopped.”
UK retailers turn to digital to survive pandemic – and view it as a long term strategy
https://internetretailing.net/industry/uk-retailers-turn-to-digital-to-survive-pandemic–and-view-it-as-a-long-term-strategy-21495
“As a result of Covid-19, two-thirds (60%) of UK retail companies are overhauling their business strategies, with almost half (42%) looking to invest in digital.”
Shop prices fall fastest since 2006: BRC
https://internetretailing.net/industry/shop-prices-fall-fastest-since-2006-brc-21489
“Shop Prices having falling by the highest rate since records began in 2006, dropping 2.4% in May compared to a 1.7% decrease in April.”
Amazon plans summer sale for June 22 to ‘jumpstart sales’ after coronavirus crunch
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/02/amazon-plans-summer-sale-for-june-22-to-jumpstart-sales.html
“Amazon notified sellers early Tuesday that it will host a “summer sale” on June 22, according to a document viewed by CNBC.”
Amazon to launch ‘Fashion Summer Sale Event’ this month to “jump-start sales”
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/06/03/amazon-to-launch-fashion-summer-sale-event-this-month-to-jump-start-sales/
Amazon is planning to launch the “Biggest Summer Sale” event on June 22 in a bid to jump-start sales and help retailers shift surplus stock that has accumulated during lockdown.
Amazon and Ebay will soon be forced to pay VAT on overseas sales in major tax fraud crackdown
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/06/01/amazon-and-ebay-will-soon-be-forced-to-pay-vat-on-overseas-sales-in-major-tax-fraud-crackdown/
“Online marketplaces in the UK will soon be forced to collect Value Added Tax (VAT) on all sales made in the country by overseas sellers in a major crackdown on tax fraud.”
Amazon accused of “hypocrisy” as it faces continued outrage on social media over racist listings
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/06/01/amazon-accused-of-hypocrisy-and-faces-continued-outrage-on-social-media-over-racist-listings/
“Amazon has continued to face a backlash of abuse on social media after a number of listings featuring wildly offensive racist language appeared on the site.”
Google’s ‘Secret’ Retail Playbook Summary
https://ecommerceguide.com/news/googles-secret-retail-playbook-summary/
“Recently, Google accidentally released a copy of their ‘Retail Playbook’, subtitled: ‘Ecommerce playbook – Creating frictionless experience across the funnel’.”
Opinion
Speed is of the essence
https://internetretailing.net/editorial/editorial-speed-is-of-the-essence
“Consumer habits have changed and will keep on changing at a rapid rate – and you need to keep up with them to engage them in the post-lockdown world”
Marketing
How to Transform Your LinkedIn Presence So It’s Not Just a Resume
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/06/transform-linkedin-presence-publishing/
“LinkedIn is a place for her to stand out in front of an audience of 600 million business professionals. It is a multimedia publishing platform to help her achieve business goals – new jobs, clients, opportunities.”
Your customers aren’t interested in your COVID messaging anymore, what now?
https://marketingland.com/your-customers-arent-interested-in-your-covid-messaging-anymore-what-now-279711
“COVID burnout is real, but the pandemic is not over.”