Blog and Research Digest — Week 47, 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
LOCKDOWN 2.0 Online sales accelerate again, digital queuing on Black Friday and lingerie sales take off
https://internetretailing.net/themes/lockdown-20-online-sales-accelerate-again-digital-queuing-on-black-friday-and-lingerie-sales-take-off-22291
“We have already seen a rise in use of mobile and social, as well as more consumers using video to shop than ever before. But that is just the start of it. Here is a round-up of what else has been happening.”
Black Friday set to kick of a ‘peak like no other’, global research shows: what does it mean for you?
https://internetretailing.net/peak/black-friday-set-to-kick-of-a-peak-like-no-other-global-research-shows-what-does-it-mean-for-you-22269
“Insights from more than 3,500 holiday shoppers in China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, show that the pandemic has induced changes in behaviours that are now set to remain part of the retail experience.”
Experts predict “permanent shift” to online shopping as Black Friday approaches
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/11/09/experts-predict-permanent-shift-to-online-shopping-as-black-friday-approaches/
“New research from IMRG finds that with non-essential stores closed from now until December, this year’s Black Friday will likely signal a seismic shift in the retail landscape.”
American Shoppers Will Spend More Than $500 on Black Friday
https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/11/american-shoppers-spend-500-dollars-black-friday-2020.html
“This is a large survey with a total of 30,223 online responses across the country from October 9-11, 2020. And it shows Americans are not deterred by the pandemic.”
Black Friday will prove rewarding for UK retail revenue, claims research
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/black-friday-will-prove-rewarding-for-uk-retail-revenue-claims-research/
“A good majority of U.K.-based consumers (58%) will spend the same or more this Black Friday, according to Emarsys research, compared to Black Friday in 2019, and 30% expect to spend less.”
Cyber Monday will beat Black Friday, reveals survey
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/cyber-monday-will-beat-black-friday-reveals-survey/
“Those are top findings from an Allocadia survey on consumer shopping plans, expectations and preferences. Allocadia is a marketing performance management provider. The study polled more than 1,000 U.S. consumers regarding online shopping.”
Adobe Expects Cyber Months in 2020, Not Just a Cyber Week
https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/11/adobe-expects-cyber-months-not-cyber-week-2020-christmas-shopping.html
“The predictions are based on Adobe Analytics data, which analyzed over one trillion visits to retail sites across the United States. It also looked at data from 100 million Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) from 80 of the 100 largest US retailers.”
New forecasts put figures on how much bigger online shopping will be this Christmas than last
https://internetretailing.net/peak/new-forecasts-put-figures-on-how-much-bigger-online-shopping-will-be-this-christmas-than-last-22272
“But the Centre for Retail Research suggests that while online sales will grow quickly, shoppers may spend up to £9bn less than they did last year, primarily as a result of this month’s lockdown.”
A third of Christmas shopping expected to take place online in 2020: study
https://internetretailing.net/peak/a-third-of-christmas-shopping-expected-to-take-place-online-in-2020-study-22224
“Shoppers are forecast to spend 1.6% – or £1.3bn – more across all channels, than they did last year, according to the VoucherCodes.co.uk Shopping for Christmas 2020 report, carried out by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR).”
Heavy discounting needed to drive Christmas sales as consumers reluctant to splash out
https://internetretailing.net/peak/heavy-discounting-needed-to-drive-christmas-sales-as-consumers-reluctant-to-splash-out-22243
“Research by Epsilon-Conversant of 1000 UK consumers finds that nearly three quarters (73%) of consumers believe they will not spend more for Christmas this year, however they could be tempted by discounts and convenience when making their purchasing choices.”
Mobile, social and video will continue driving digital economy and commerce in 2021
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/mobile-social-and-video-will-continue-driving-digital-economy-and-commerce-in-2021-22290
“Mobile commerce, mobile advertising and mobile video are set to continue to dominate the digital economy in 2021 based on current habits, analysts predict.”
Women will continue shopping online well past COVID-19, claims study
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/women-will-continue-shopping-online-well-past-covid-19-claims-study/
“The COVID-19 pandemic is driving more females to shop online given shutdowns and health concerns, and the behavior likely won’t change much even when the coronavirus is no longer a concern.”
The rise of ‘Squad Shopping’ sees 1 in 5 UK consumers shopping online with friends using video calls
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/the-rise-of-squad-shopping-sees-1-in-5-uk-consumers-shopping-online-with-friends-using-video-calls-22289
“One in five UK shoppers has been ‘Squad Shopping’ – using video calls or screen sharing technology to shop online with friends and family – during the pandemic, as consumers find new ways to do things together without coming into contact.”
Plastic-free marketplace launched to help shoppers take a sustainable stand
https://internetretailing.net/sustainability/plastic-free-marketplace-launched-to-help-shoppers-take-a-sustainable-stand-22288
“The move taps into a growing demand from consumers for ‘green’ products. A recent study by E.On found that more than a third (36%) of UK consumers say that they are buying products from companies with strong environmental credentials.”
More than 60 UK retailers back ambitious new BRC plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040; latest BRC figures show 42% of sales online in October
https://internetretailing.net/sustainability/more-than-60-uk-retailers-back-ambitious-new-brc-plan-to-reach-net-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2040-latest-brc-figures-show-42-of-sales-online-in-october-22280
“The BRC’s Climate Action Roadmap, supported by 63 retailers, aims to see stores and warehouses powered by net zero electricity by 2030.”
Amazon faces billions in fines after EU files competition charges over third-party sellers
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/11/eu-amazon-competition-charges-over-third-party-sellers/
“Amazon is facing a potential fine worth billions after the EU slapped it with competition charges over allegations it used data to gain an advantage over the third-party sellers.”
Technology
To stem tide of e-commerce returns retailers need 3D, AR
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/to-stem-the-tide-of-e-commerce-returns-retailers-need-3d-ar/
“But merchants can turn the online medium to their advantage by using innovations in 3D and augmented reality to address the cause of returns and stem the costly tide.”
Marketing
Content Marketing Statistics You Should Know
https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/11/content-marketing-statistics.html
“Need to justify that content marketing works? Discover the latest content marketing statistics below.”