News

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

Shoppers getting more comfortable about going into shops but seem less confident about spending; retailers among the most likely to receive coronavirus loans
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/shoppers-getting-more-comfortable-about-going-into-shops-but-seem-less-confident-about-spending-retailers-among-the-most-likely-to-receive-coronavirus-loans-21820
“Most shoppers (62%) now say they feel comfortable buying their groceries in a shop, although less than half (42%) are comfortable going to a non-food shop to buy.”

Footfall still low – but recovering – in July amid predictions that online sales will remain historically high
https://internetretailing.net/location/footfall-still-low–but-recovering—in-july-amid-predictions-that-online-sales-will-remain-historically-high–21812
“Springboard figures yesterday suggested that the number of people visiting shops in July was 39.4% lower than a year earlier. However, visitor numbers improved by a fifth compared to June, when non-essential retailers were able to start reopening.”

Consumer spend increases, personal income dips
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/consumer-spend-increases-personal-income-dips/
“U.S. consumer spending rose in June by 5.6%, for the second consecutive month, but was not as robust as the 8.5% spike in May, according to Commerce Department figures. For the same month, personal income dipped 1.1%, a much lower decrease compared to May’s 4.4%, according to a CNBC report.”

NRF economist: Big questions loom regarding economic recovery
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/nrf-economist-big-questions-loom-regarding-economic-recovery/
“While there are some broad indicators that the U.S. economy is beginning to recover, the nation’s biggest and top retail organization is issuing a cautionary note and is not all that optimistic about a retail comeback in the near future.”

Amazon’s online grocery sales triple in Q2 as Prime spending swells
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazons-online-grocery-sales-triple-in-q2-as-prime-spending-swells/583048/
“To accommodate the influx of online grocery customers, Amazon increased delivery capacity by 160% and tripled the number of grocery pickup spots in Q2.”

Here’s what the UK’s biggest retailers really do with your data
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/08/03/heres-what-the-uks-biggest-retailers-really-do-with-your-data/
“Charged has teamed up with Rightly.co.uk to lay bare just how much these retailers know about you and what they do with your data once they have it.”

Opinion

Leading 1,000 retailers in Europe and a new Elite named in new RetailX report
https://internetretailing.net/rxeu/leading-1000-retailers-in-europe-and-a-new-elite-named-in-new-retailx-report
“Amazon, Boulanger, Decathlon, H&M, Fnac and Kiabi are this year’s Elite retailers in the RetailX Europe 1000 (RXEU Top1000) report, published in association with Tealium.”

There are only a few moments in life when buying habits change, and a pandemic is one of them
https://qz.com/1889792/covid-19-is-changing-consumer-shopping-habits/
“The buying habits of shoppers tend to change slowly. Covid-19, however, has been disruptive enough to shake them up, and companies are trying to take advantage.”

How PepsiCo uses ecommerce to learn about its European customers and how they like to buy
https://internetretailing.net/themes/how-pepsico-uses-ecommerce-to-learn-about-its-european-customers-and-how-they-like-to-buy-21817
“Rui Francisco, director of ecommerce at PepsiCo Europe tells Chloe Rigby how PepsiCo is selling direct-to-consumer and running shopper insights programmes to find out what works for its customers”

Marketing

Nine mistakes to avoid when contacting websites for backlinks
https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2020/07/29/nine-mistakes-to-avoid-when-contacting-websites-for-backlinks/
“Rentround’s Raj Dosanjh highlights the importance of backlinks and mistakes to avoid when reaching out to get them for your website.”

Business stress is no excuse to spam
https://marketingland.com/business-stress-is-no-excuse-to-spam-280867
“Look at your email practices and make sure you are not stepping over ethical boundaries by assuming permission that has not been given.”

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

Coronavirus tanking consumer confidence
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/coronavirus-tanking-consumer-confidence/
“Consumer confidence took a big dip in July due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic outbreaks hitting across the U.S.”

COVID-19 may impact US consumer spend for years to come
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/covid-19-may-impact-us-consumer-spend-for-years-to-come/
“The number of U.S. consumers making non-essential purchases is higher than in the U.K. (54%) and China (55%), but not as high as Germany (73%).”

Online sales tax would force vulnerable shoppers to pay “a large chunk of the COVID-19 bill”
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/07/28/online-sales-tax-would-force-vulnerable-shoppers-to-pay-a-large-chunk-of-the-covid-19-bill/
“Retail groups including the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have warned against these proposals, stating that they would unfairly impact shoppers who have turned to online shopping to avoid exposure to COVID-19.”

Move to ecommerce has made shoppers demand that brands they deal with be more environmentally friendly
https://internetretailing.net/sustainability/move-to-ecommerce-has-made-shoppers-demand-that-brands-they-deal-with-be-more-environmentally-friendly-21780
“Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters of consumers expect online retailers and brands to use recyclable packaging (73%) or minimise their use of packaging (74%).”

Opinion

What online shoppers want right now
https://www.retaildive.com/news/what-online-shoppers-want-right-now/582300/
“For a couple of decades, Amazon has been setting consumer expectations that all retailers follow. The pandemic may be changing that.”

Marketing

Podcasts and internet marketing: Are you missing the boat?
https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2020/07/30/podcasts-and-internet-marketing-are-you-missing-the-boat/
“Marketers trying to run a highly successful internet marketing campaign know that sailing the podcasting ship can bring about the desired results. Are you still wondering whether or not to hop on board?”

Overcome a Boring Blog With These 5 Techniques
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/07/overcome-boring-blog-techniques/
“Yet, blogging is still one of the top content types marketers use to build brand awareness and to nurture engaged audiences toward conversion.”

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.”

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

From turbocharged transformation strategies to the growth of mobile shopping: what the latest research says about the effect of Covid-19 on UK ecommerce
https://internetretailing.net/themes/from-turbocharged-transformation-strategies-to-the-growth-of-mobile-shopping-what-the-latest-research-says-about-the-effect-of-covid-19-on-uk-ecommerce-21721
“We take a look at two recent reports, from Twilio and Salesforce, that highlight the new speed at which consumers are moving more of their shopping online, and behind the scenes, at which retailers and other industries are now approaching digital transformation.”

Mobile and social – along with international traffic – driving UK ecommerce growth
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/mobile-and-social–along-with-international-traffic–driving-uk-ecommerce-growth–21709
“Mobile retailing grew by 57% in the UK across the lockdown, with 13% of mobile-based sales now coming from social as shopper habits make a permanent shift in device and channel.”

Retail sales in Europe are rebounding
https://qz.com/1880377/retail-sales-in-europe-rebound-as-covid-19-lockdowns-lift/
“In May, total retail trade jumped 17.8% in the Euro area of 19 countries compared to the month before, according to official statistics released last week.”

Amazon to reimpose limits on sellers as coronavirus cases surge throughout “most of the US”
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/07/15/amazon-to-reimpose-limits-on-sellers-as-coronavirus-cases-surge-throughout-most-of-the-us/
“Despite Amazon largely returning to normal operations since then, the blistering spike in coronavirus cases across the US has forced Amazon to reinstate limits for sellers amid fears of a second lockdown could be imposed.”

Amazon will let businesses use its Twitch streaming tech for livestreams
https://www.engadget.com/amazon-interactive-video-service-072154494.html
“It’s called the Amazon Interactive Video Service (IVS), and it will allow brands and corporations to provide a more personalized experience for their audiences compared to YouTube or Twitch livestreams.”

Augmented reality starts driving sales: AR product engagement increased mobile purchases at eBags
https://searchengineland.com/augmented-reality-starts-driving-sales-ar-product-engagement-increased-mobile-purchases-at-ebags-337584
“There was a 112% increase in mobile conversions when users interacted with 3D-AR enabled products, the company says.”

Pandemic has seen consumers more conscious of their environmental impact – and they want retailers to be more green
https://internetretailing.net/sustainability/pandemic-has-seen-consumers-more-conscious-of-their-environmental-impact–and-they-want-retailers-to-be-more-green-21704
“More than a third of UK and Irish consumers are more aware of the environmental impact of their shopping habits, with 75% of them wanting retailers to use recycled and recyclable packaging as they continue to embrace ecommerce in the global pandemic.”

In Tough Times, Self-Aware Marketing Helps You Stand Out & Save Money
https://contently.com/2020/07/15/self-aware-marketing-helps/
“Going meta—using your product to market itself—can be a clever way to draw attention, stretch your budget, and be disarmingly and refreshingly honest, all while still selling your product.”