Blog and Research Digest — Week 31, 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
Consumer confidence holds steady this month
https://www.theretailbulletin.com/general-merchandise/consumer-confidence-holds-steady-this-month-24-07-2020/
“New data has shown that consumer confidence has held steady in July as Covid-19 lockdown restrictions ease across the UK.”
Latest ONS figures show how UK shoppers changed the way they buy during lockdown
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/latest-ons-figures-show-how-uk-shoppers-changed-the-way-they-buy-during-lockdown-21744
“Last month, 31.8% of retail sales took pace online, according to the ONS Retail Sales report for June. That’s down from 33.3% in May, but still sharply up from the 20% of sales that took place over the internet in February – before the coronavirus hit the UK.”
Unilever reports 49% rise in ecommerce sales as shoppers changed buying habits during Covid-19 lockdowns
https://internetretailing.net/brands/unilever-reports-49-rise-in-ecommerce-sales-as-shoppers-changed-buying-habits-during-covid-19-lockdowns-21743
“Unilever today reported ecommerce sales growth of 49%, while overall turnover fell by 1.6%, as shopping habits changed during the Covid-19 lockdown.”
Consumers still planning to spend this Christmas – but it will move online and will start on a belated Prime Day
https://internetretailing.net/peak/consumers-still-planning-to-spend-this-christmas–but-it-will-move-online-and-will-start-on-a-belated-prime-day–21733
“According to new research from Rakuten Advertising conducted among 8,673 adults around the world, 87% of people will still be shopping for Christmas and 57% plan to purchase during key shopping peaks like Black Friday – despite 40% citing a decrease in household income due to COVID-19.”
Amazon confirms Prime Day delay in US, will run Prime Day in India on Aug 6-7
https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/20/amazon-confirms-prime-day-delay-in-u-s-will-run-prime-day-in-india-on-aug-6-7
“Today, Amazon officially confirmed reports that it will delay Prime Day in the U.S. until sometime later this year. It will also host a Prime Day in India next month, from August 6 through August 7.”
Amazon delays Prime Day until October due to coronavirus
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/02/amazon-delays-prime-day-until-october-due-to-coronavirus.html
“Amazon gave third-party sellers a placeholder date of the week of Oct. 5 for Prime Day, according to an email obtained by CNBC.”
Buy on Google goes commission-free, will enable checkout via PayPal, Shopify
https://searchengineland.com/buy-on-google-goes-commission-free-will-enable-checkout-via-paypal-shopify-338168
“This is the second big shake up for Google’s commerce efforts this year.”
Watch out, Amazon. Walmart is back in the game, thanks to Shopify
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/watch-out-amazon-walmart-is-back-in-the-game-thanks-to-shopify/
“Although the exact details of how it will work from both a technological and financial perspective haven’t been disclosed, this deal is huge for Shopify’s customers as it instantly connects them to millions of potential consumers.”
Marketing
No in-person events until 2nd half of 2021, marketers say
https://marketingland.com/no-in-person-events-until-2nd-half-of-2021-marketers-say-280581
“But satisfaction with virtual events suggests that, for now, professionals are okay with the alternatives.”
Opinion
Disrupting the eCommerce status quo: Covid-19 and digital transformation
https://marketingtechnews.net/news/2020/jul/23/disrupting-the-ecommerce-status-quo-covid-19-and-digital-transformation/
“Now global brands need to find relevance again as they reconnect with consumers once more. It is these very consumers who are in greater need than ever of a strong, meaningful online experience, given the need to continue living cautiously.”