Blog and Research Digest — Week 38, 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
New August figures suggest online sales growth of recent months starting to slow
https://internetretailing.net/industry/new-august-figures-suggest-online-sales-growth-of-recent-months-starting-to-slow-21976
“Ecommerce sales last month grew by 43.5% compared to the same time last year, according to the latest IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index, but they were down by 4.1% compared to the previous month of July.”
Online sales slow down as Brits head outdoors
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/09/online-sales-slow-down-as-brits-head-outdoors/
“Last month, multichannel retailers outperformed online-only businesses for the fifth month running – recording a rise of 70.5 per cent, compared to 11.4 per cent.”
Surge in online shopping over lockdown thanks to 102% rise in online supermarket shops
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/09/08/surge-in-online-shopping-over-lockdown-thanks-to-102-rise-in-online-supermarket-shops/
“Consumer spending grew 0.2 per cent year-on-year in the month of August, thanks to a 102.7 per cent year-on-year rise in online supermarket shops.”
Retail’s unlikely pandemic winners
https://www.retaildive.com/news/retails-unlikely-pandemic-winners/584849/
“Wayfair, Overstock and At Home have made gains while much of the industry faces sales declines, layoffs and, in some cases, bankruptcy.”
The questions retailers are asking about holiday shopping 2020
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/the-questions-retailers-are-asking-about-holiday-shopping-2020/
“U.S. holiday retail sales in 2019 exceeded $1 trillion for the first time ever, according to eMarketer. The 3.7% increase during last year’s peak season, the November-December holiday sales season, was approximately $1.01 trillion”
Amazon pumps up services for India market
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/amazon-pumps-up-services-for-india-market/
“Amazon may be embracing lending and insurance as a way to boost profits in India, due to thin margins in the country, according to the report.”
Amazon offered 40% stake in Indian conglomerate Reliance Retail for £15bn
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/09/amazon-offered-40-stake-in-indian-conglomerate-reliance-retail-for-15bn/
“India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani has reportedly offered Jeff Bezos’ Amazon a $20 billion (£15.6 billion) stake in the retail arm of his Mumbai-based Reliance Industries.”
Amazon under fire after paying just £293m in UK tax on revenues of £14bn
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/09/09/amazon-under-fire-after-paying-just-293m-in-uk-tax-on-sales-of-14bn/
“Amazon’s tax payment represented a 33.2 per cent increase on its £220 million payment in 2018, with Amazon stating its corporation tax payment this year was reduced as a result of increased capital spending, as well as costs relating to research and development.”
Dozens of AmazonBasics products could pose a safety risk, report says
https://www.engadget.com/amazon-basics-products-could-be-fire-safety-risk-214942687.html
‘According to their lengthy investigation, at least 70 AmazonBasics products have been associated with fires and other safety issues. “Since 2016, at least 1,500 reviews, covering more than 70 items, have described products exploding, catching on fire, smoking, melting, causing electrical malfunctions or otherwise posing risks,” CNN writes.’
Watchdog accuses Amazon of price gouging during the pandemic
https://www.engadget.com/amazon-price-gouging-report-pandemic-142044766.html
“A new report by the consumer watchdog group Public Citizen accuses Amazon of price gouging during the pandemic. According to the group, Amazon increased the prices of essential items like masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, paper towels and toilet paper.”
Key practices for tech brands to drive brand love in today’s tumultuous climate
https://marketingtechnews.net/news/2020/sep/09/key-practices-for-tech-brands-to-drive-brand-love-in-todays-tumultuous-climate/
“For technology companies that may be tightening their budgets amidst the current times, it is still crucial to channel time and resources into ensuring that their consumers are well-engaged with their brands.”