Blog and Research Digest — Week 34, 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 drop 10% in July as lockdown easing triggers “shift in spending patterns”
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/08/14/online-retail-sales-drop-10-in-july-as-lockdown-easing-triggers-shift-in-spending-patterns/
“Online sales throughout July saw a “sharp decline” of 10 per cent compared to a month earlier, according to the latest figures from IMRG’s online sales index.”
Retail output slumped by 22.5% in Q2 2020, as UK GDP fell by a record 20.4%
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/retail-output-slumped-by-225-in-q2-2020-as-uk-gdp-fell-by-a-record-204-21835
“The fall in output comes primarily as a result of coronavirus lockdowns, but is also likely to be connected to a loss of consumer confidence.”
Shoppers continued to spend in July online despite store reopenings – while footfall still a third lower than last year
https://internetretailing.net/industry/shoppers-continued-to-spend-in-july-online-despite-store-reopenings–while-footfall-still-a-third-lower-than-last-year-21831
“However, the figures suggest while online sales took off, in-store non-food sales were down by more than a quarter compared to last year, and overall retail sales grew by 3.2% in total, compared to last July.”
More than a quarter of UK shoppers plan to start shopping for Christmas earlier in 2020
https://internetretailing.net/peak/more-than-a-quarter-of-uk-shoppers-plan-to-start-shopping-for-christmas-earlier-in-2020-21852
“Research from eBay Advertising questioned 2,064 UK adults who celebrate Christmas and found that 27% expected to get their festive buying underway sooner this year.”
How are customer expectations changing in a digital post-pandemic world? Study
https://internetretailing.net/customer/how-are-customer-expectations-changing-in-a-digital-post-pandemic-world-study-21824
“The Retail reimagined: the new era for customer experience report from Periscope by McKinsey questioned more than 2,500 people in the UK, France, Germany and the US to find out how they now expect to be served.”
German watchdog launches Amazon investigation: report
https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-germany-competition/german-watchdog-launches-amazon-investigation-report-idUKKCN25C0LW
“Germany’s anti-trust authority has launched an investigation into Amazon’s relationship with third-party traders selling on its site, its head was quoted as saying on Sunday.”
Amazon’s days of dodging liability for its marketplace could be numbered
https://qz.com/1892289/what-it-means-that-amazon-is-liable-for-third-party-sales/
“The company has always skirted legal liability by arguing it isn’t really the seller, but that may be starting to change.”
Amazon Starts Preparations to Launch in Sweden
https://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/amazon-starts-preparations-to-launch-in-sweden-2274443
“Amazon has started preparations to launch in Sweden, marking its first step to establish a local presence in a Nordic country.”
Opinion
Why brands must embrace consumer post-pandemic buying habits
https://marketingtechnews.net/news/2020/aug/10/why-brands-must-embrace-consumer-post-pandemic-buying-habits/
“Once the pandemic passes, some shoppers will return to their previous buying habits as though nothing ever happened. But many consumers are forming new buying habits that will stick with them well into the future. Brands need to understand which of these new behaviours will stick so they can better meet their customers’ needs as the world starts getting back to ‘normal.’”
Why digital accessibility is now essential in the pandemic era
https://marketingtechnews.net/news/2020/aug/14/why-digital-accessibility-is-now-essential-in-the-pandemic-era/
“In a matter of weeks, Covid-19 achieved what years of lobbying and education had not – convincing organisations of the importance of making sure digital assets – like websites, emails and mobile apps – are easy to use and simple to navigate.”
Driving brand loyalty, customer engagement post COVID-19: Why digital marketing, omnichannel execution is essential
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/driving-brand-loyalty-and-customer-engagement-in-a-post-covid-19-world-why-digital-marketing-and-omnichannel-execution-is-essential/
“Since the U.S. lockdown mandate on March 23, shoppers have increasingly adopted a ‘digital-only’ way of life and the Internet has become almost every consumer’s new and constant companion.”
Marketing
3 B2B Tech Content Marketing Mistakes—And What You Should Do Instead
https://contently.com/2020/08/12/3-big-b2b-tech-content-marketing-mistakes/
“The discourse around tech—specifically B2B tech—often comes in the form of thought leadership content. What does the future have in store for us? And how can new technology help us solve big problems?”
Conquer Your Video Fears and Get on Camera
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/08/conquer-live-video-fears/
“With several video meetings under your belt, it’s time to make yourself the star of the show. Step out from those internal meetings and go live for all to see. You’ll gain visibility and enhance your personal brand.”