News

With our Blog and Research Digest, the Digishare team provide a curated roundup 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 grocery growth slows as shoppers spend £8bn in-store at UK supermarkets
https://internetretailing.net/industry/online-grocery-growth-slows-as-shoppers-spend-8bn-in-store-at-uk-supermarkets-23119
“Online grocery has experienced supercharged growth in the last 12 months, with sales growth remaining above 70% since the start of the UK’s pandemic in March 2020.”

UK a leader in the 2020 shift online – while studies suggest shoppers want to buy more in-store, but as yet are not returning to shops post-Covid 19 lockdown
https://internetretailing.net/location/uk-a-leader-in-the-2020-shift-online–while-studies-suggest-shoppers-want-to-buy-more-in-store-but-as-yet-are-not-returning-to-shops-post-covid-19-lockdown-23116
“Almost a quarter of UK retail sales took place online as shops closed for Covid-19 lockdowns, new figures suggest.!

UK ecommerce outpaces global average as shoppers spend faster than ever
https://internetretailing.net/customer/uk-ecommerce-outpaces-global-average-as-shoppers-spend-faster-than-ever-23090
“The UK’s ecommerce spending in Q1 grew by 54% YoY, reaching £28bn in spend. This is considerably faster than the global average – for comparison, US online sales grew 39% YoY, and the global average growth figure was 38%.”

Shoppers set to carry on buying online– and to spend more on retail purchases: research
https://internetretailing.net/industry/shoppers-set-to-carry-on-buying-online-and-to-spend-more-on-retail-purchases-research-23073
“Customer experience specialist MullenLowe Profero questioned 3,000 UK adults via Censuswide and found than more than half (56%) of online shoppers expect to buy online as much as they are now – and 41% say they have bought online more regularly during the Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions.”

European eCommerce revenues jump 30% to $465bn in 2021
https://internetretailing.net/international/european-ecommerce-revenues-jump-30-to-465bn-in-2021-23016
“Even before the pandemic, the European eCommerce market has witnessed impressive growth. In 2018, revenues grew by $24.8bn YoY and hit $320.6bn, revealed the Statista survey. By the end of the following year, this figure jumped by another $33.6bn reaching $354.1bn.”

Two-thirds of UK shoppers value ethics and sustainability in retailers, reshaping their post-pandemic habits
https://internetretailing.net/sustainability/two-thirds-of-uk-shoppers-value-ethics-and-sustainability-in-retailers-reshaping-their-post-pandemic-habits-23019
“The majority (52%) also said that they are now more likely to shop with retailers that have ethical suppliers or supply chains.”

Online shoppers leave £100 of goods a month in “fantasy baskets” – survey
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/05/online-shoppers-leave-100-of-goods-a-month-in-fantasy-baskets-survey/
“Significant delivery costs, the desire to “window shop” rather than make a purchase and lengthy authentication processes were key drivers of payment dropouts, Barclaycard Payments said. Getting distracted by other online shopping and forgetting what baskets contain were other key reasons.”

Shopify says vaccinations haven’t slowed down online shopping
https://qz.com/2002776/shopify-says-vaccinations-havent-slowed-down-online-shopping/
“More Americans are getting vaccinated by the day, and many, emboldened by loosening restrictions around mask use and warming weather in the US, are finally heading back to stores and malls after a year of doing much of their shopping online.”

Study: Consumer digital mindset here to stay
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/study-consumer-digital-mindset-here-to-stay/
“A majority of consumer (81%) will maintain and may even increase digital usage once COVID-19 restrictions are gone, according to a FullStory study.”

Consumer spend won’t change much this year, claims research
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/consumer-spend-wont-change-much-this-year-claims-research/
“More than half of U.S. consumers (60%) expect a return to normality within the year and 56% are optimistic about the year ahead.”

Economy surges as consumers spend big
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/economy-surges-as-consumers-spend-big/
“The U.S gross domestic product, a measurement of total goods and services produced, hit 6.4% in the first quarter of the year, according to a NBC report citing estimates released from the Commerce Department. Economists had predicted an increase of 6.5%.”

Survey reveals how COVID-19 impacted 2020 holiday shopping season
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/survey-reveals-how-covid-19-impacted-2020-holiday-shopping-season/
“83% purchased online during the 2020 holiday season. For consumers who spent more than $500 on holiday gifts, that number jumped to a 94%. More than half of consumers who purchased gifts online said they visited a retail store website.”

Walmart online sales on a boom path, reveals research data
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/walmart-online-sales-on-a-boom-path-reveals-research-data/
“Walmart’s share of U.S. online sales will increase from 6.7% last year to 7.1% this year, according to data from ComprarAcciones.com.”

Amazon

Amazon moves Prime Day to Q2
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/amazon-moves-prime-day-to-q/
“The one fact Amazon has confirmed is that the deals extravaganza event will happen in the second quarter, according to a CNBC report.”

Amazon says its Prime membership has now topped more than 200m – and focuses on groceries and delivery as first quarter sales grow by 44%
https://internetretailing.net/strategy-and-innovation/amazon-says-its-prime-membership-has-now-topped-more-than-200m–and-focuses-on-groceries-and-delivery-as-first-quarter-sales-grow-by-44-23099
“Amazon says more than 200m people are now paid-up members of its Amazon Prime subscription scheme. Its next Prime Day event, for members of the scheme, is now set to take place later this quarter.”

Prime has never been more important to Amazon
https://qz.com/2004369/the-pandemic-made-prime-even-more-valuable-to-amazon/
“It took Amazon 13 years to reach its first 100 million subscribers to Prime, the company’s benefits-loaded membership program. It took just three years to add its next 100 million, as founder Jeff Bezos revealed last month in his final letter to shareholders as Amazon’s CEO.”

Amazon’s growth overseas has blown past its growth in the US
https://qz.com/2003497/amazons-growth-overseas-has-blown-past-its-growth-in-the-us/
“In the latest quarter Amazon’s international sales surged 60% compared to the same time last year, far outpacing the 40% growth it saw in North America and marking Amazon’s second quarter in a row of higher growth overseas.”

32% of UK Amazon customers feel “guilty” for shopping with giant
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2021/05/10/32-of-uk-amazon-customer-feel-guilty-for-shopping-with-giant/
“Amazon shoppers in the UK say they feel “guilt” and “buyers remorse” after shopping with the retail giant with many stating they want to cut down on purchases.”

Amazon enters “golden age” as Q1 sales smash estimates rising 44%
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2021/04/30/amazon-enters-golden-age-as-q1-sales-smash-estimates-rising-44/
“Over its first quarter Amazon saw net sales top $108.5 billion, coming comfortably above Wall Street estimates of $104.5 billion, while profit after tax more than tripled on the same period last year jumping from $2.5 billion to $8.1 billion, trouncing expectations of just $5 billion.”

Amazon poised to overtake Walmart as largest retailer by 2025: report
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-poised-to-overtake-walmart-as-largest-retailer-by-2025-report/599437/
“As e-commerce expands at a blazing clip, Amazon is on track to pass Walmart as the largest U.S. retailer by 2025, according to Retail Insight, the research arm of Edge by Ascential.”

Amazon best in online experience, claims research
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/amazon-best-in-online-experience-claims-research/
“More than half, 55%, of consumers ranked the e-commerce giant as being best, with Walmart landing in second as cited by 11% of U.S. consumers. The third spot belongs to Target, Best Buy and eBay, all mentioned by less than 4% of those surveyed, according to a press release.”

Opinion

3 critical website updates for better UX
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/3-critical-website-updates-for-better-ux/
“Collectively, product detail pages (PDPs) are arguably one of the most critical aspects of your e-commerce website. An optimized PDP uses a combination of high quality product photography; compelling descriptions, specifications, and details; and interactive elements to turn browsers into buyers and drive revenue.”

Retail News and Trends

Largest ever share of sales takes place online in locked-down February, while in-store sales fall
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/largest-ever-share-of-sales-takes-place-online-in-locked-down-february-while-in-store-sales-fall-22830
“The British Retail Consortium (BRC) found that 60.6% of UK retail sales took place online last month. That’s a higher proportion than during the previous two lockdowns.”

Pandemic spurring spike in e-commerce activity
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/pandemic-spurring-spike-in-e-commerce-activity/
“he global e-commerce market will hit 3.8 billion users this year, a 10% spike compared to 2020, and the prime reason is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from Finaria.it.”

E-commerce spending could reach $1 trillion in 2022: Adobe
https://www.retaildive.com/news/e-commerce-spending-could-reach-1-trillion-in-2022-adobe/596864/
“E-commerce spending in 2021 is expected to grow between $850 billion and $930 billion and reach $1 trillion in 2022, Adobe’s report said.”

UK trade falls dramatically since the end of the Brexit transition period: the ecommerce perspective
https://internetretailing.net/international/uk-trade-falls-dramatically-since-the-end-of-the-brexit-transition-period-the-ecommerce-perspective-22856
“Total UK trade – excluding precious metals – saw its largest monthly fall since records began in January – of 19.3%, or £5.3bn, according to ONS figures.”

Amazon beats out Walmart for top retailer title
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/amazon-beats-out-walmart-for-top-retailer-title/
“It gained the title due to the insurgence of online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Wells Fargo estimates Amazon’s U.S. apparel sales spiked 15% in 2020 alone — about 20% to 25% more than Walmart, according to a CNBC report.”

Amazon drivers call for fewer daily deliveries
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/03/amazon-drivers-call-for-fewer-daily-deliveries/
“New petition calls on Amazon to lower the number of daily deliveries amid claims that drivers are being overworked.”

Mobile push leads digital marketing as favorite strategy
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/mobile-push-leads-digital-marketing-as-favorite-strategy/
“When it comes to digital marketing there’s been overall growth but mobile push notifications are the most widely adopted, with the number of pushes jumping by 78% in the past year, according to Emarsys data.”

Opinion

Will consumers ditch online shopping once lockdown ends?
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/03/will-consumers-ditch-online-shopping-once-lockdown-ends/
“With non-essential retailers across the UK reopening at various dates from next month and an end to all Covid-19 restrictions in sight by June, online players may feel at threat as shoppers return to the high street. How can online retailers remain ahead as things return to “normal” for the first time in over a year?”

Emphasizing empathy: How retail and e-commerce brands can provide the right CX at the right moment
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/emphasizing-empathy-how-retail-and-e-commerce-brands-can-provide-the-right-cx-at-the-right-moment/
“With the pandemic, more people than ever are shopping online. This has only heightened the need for brands to respond quickly and react appropriately, and therefore, maintaining empathy and emotional intelligence in digital experiences and communications is critical.”

Retail News and Trends

January retail sales reflect strong start for 2021
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/january-retail-sales-reflect-strong-start-for-2021/
“Overall retail sales were up 5.3% and 7.4% compared to a year ago, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Despite month-over-month declines in the last quarter of 2020, sales have grown year-over-year every month since June, according to Census data.”

Chancellor seeks support from G7 allies on new tax for online retailers
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/03/chancellor-seeks-support-from-g7-allies-on-new-tax-for-online-retailers/
“The Sun and The Daily Telegraph reported the Chancellor has spoken with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about the possible tax.”

Biden slams Amazon for anti-union action in Twitter video
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2021/03/01/biden-slams-amazon-for-anti-union-action-in-twitter-video/
“President Joe Biden has slammed Amazon for its union-busting tactics in a video posted on Twitter stating the choice to ‘join a union is up to the workers, full stop’.”

93% of the UK bought something on Amazon last year
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2021/02/26/93-of-the-uk-bought-something-on-amazon-last-year/
“According to a new research from ecommerce specialist Pattern, just seven in 100 UK citizens avoided Amazon all together over the last year.”

Survey: Costco, Amazon, Apple are top in customer satisfaction
https://www.retaildive.com/news/survey-costco-amazon-apple-are-top-in-customer-satisfaction/596209/
“A Verint Experience Index report found that Costco, Amazon and Apple rank highest in customer satisfaction out of the top 25 retailers, according to a Thursday press release.”

UK third most popular market globally for online cross-border shopping
https://internetretailing.net/international/uk-third-most-popular-market-globally-for-online-cross-border-shopping-22798
“The UK is the third most shopped market for international online purchases, topped only by China and the US.”

Report: Most consumers abandon a brand after 3 bad experiences
https://www.retaildive.com/news/report-most-consumers-abandon-a-brand-after-3-bad-experiences/596107/
“In the survey of 1,988 consumers, 44% of respondents said they would abandon a brand because they couldn’t find certain information, and 23% said they would ditch a brand for receiving conflicting information, per the report.”

Opinion

How Amazon and Walmart’s head-to-head competition is changing retail
https://www.retaildive.com/news/how-amazon-and-walmarts-head-to-head-competition-is-changing-retail/595762/
“The evolution of the two shows that being a retail giant means more than selling merchandise.”

5 key principles for a successful e-commerce user experience
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/5-key-principles-for-a-successful-e-commerce-user-experience/
“Develop for mobile… Mobile has accounted for half of the website traffic globally since 2017.”

Retail News and Trends

Online spending took a record 35% of January UK retail spending; total spending falls as non-essential retailers stay closed
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/online-spending-took-a-record-35-of-january-uk-retail-spending-total-spending-falls-as-non-essential-retailers-stay-closed-22742
“A year earlier, ecommerce accounted for 19.5% of retail sales – while the proportion spent via the internet reached 29.6% in December.”

Record-breaking January sees highest online retail sales since 1st lockdown
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/02/record-breaking-january-sees-highest-online-retail-sales-since-1st-lockdown/
“According to the latest IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index, online retail sales in January skyrocketed by 74 per cent year-on-year and marked the highest rate of growth since March last year”

Use of shopping apps globally grew 45% in 2020, driven by social and live streams
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/use-of-shopping-apps-globally-grew-45-in-2020-driven-by-social-and-live-streams-22702
“Time spent globally in shopping apps outside of China grew 45% year over year in 2020, with some countries newer to the mcommerce world seeing even higher spikes: Russia grew 50%, Mexico 65%, Indonesia 85%.”

At £176.6bn, the UK is the third largest online spender globally behind China and the US…
https://internetretailing.net/international/at-1766bn-the-uk-is-the-third-largest-online-spender-globally-behind-china-and-the-us-22711
“UK shoppers spend £176.6bn online in 2020, ranking the market third only behind China and the US. However, the country spend[s] an average of $4516 each online, way more than US shoppers ($3680) and China ($2386).”

… as China becomes first country to see ecommerce surpass 50% of retail sales
https://internetretailing.net/international/-as-china-becomes-first-country-to-see-ecommerce-surpass-50-of-retail-sales-22714
“For the first time anywhere, a majority of retail sales for an entire country will transact online. That’s according to a forecast from eMarketer that suggests that 52.1% of China’s retail will come from ecommerce in 2021, up from 44.8% last year.”

Simple experiences, good price and environmental awareness: research shows how cemented changing shopping habits have become
https://internetretailing.net/industry/simple-experiences-good-price-and-environmental-awareness-research-shows-how-cemented-changing-shopping-habits-have-become-22716
“More than half (54%) say the pandemic has changed their expectations of online shopping. Of this, 70% are more likely to shop elsewhere if they can’t find products quickly…”

Walmart posts ‘record’ Q4 thanks to online and holiday demand
https://www.retaildive.com/news/walmart-posts-record-q4-thanks-to-online-and-holiday-demand/595298/
“As the pandemic moved holiday shopping online, Walmart’s U.S. comp sales growth beat expectations at 8.6%, and e-commerce sales grew 69% year over year in the fourth quarter.”

Amazon is facing a ban in India as “shocking revelations” about its practices exposed
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2021/02/19/amazon-is-facing-a-ban-in-india-as-shocking-revelations-about-its-practices-exposed/
“In its report, based on internal Amazon documents between 2012 and 2019, Reuters accused Amazon of routinely changing its corporate structure to circumvent new regulation in the country and “test the boundaries of what is allowed by law.””

Amazon acquires small digital commerce platform to challenge Shopify
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-acquires-small-digital-commerce-platform-to-challenge-shopify/595209/
“Amazon on Tuesday confirmed that it has acquired Australian small-business platform Selz…”

Amazon is taking aim at one of its few remaining rivals
https://qz.com/1973334/amazon-is-taking-aim-at-shopify-with-its-latest-acquisition/
“Shopify is estimated to be the second-largest e-commerce platform in the US, behind only Amazon. The company has positioned itself as a counterbalance to Amazon’s dominance, allowing budding entrepreneurs to set up their own shops and sell to customers directly rather than having to default to putting their wares on Amazon’s massive marketplace.”

China consumer spend to double in 9 years
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/china-consumer-spend-to-double-in-9-years/
“China consumer spend will more than double by 2030, hitting $12.7 trillion, according to a Morgan Stanley analyst report.”

Amazon posts a ‘monster’ Q4 with pandemic still driving demand
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-posts-a-monster-q4-with-pandemic-still-driving-demand/594431/
“Amazon finished out 2020 on another blockbuster quarter, with its North American sales rising more than 40% year over year to $75.3 billion as shoppers turned to the e-commerce giant during a surge in COVID-19 and disruptions to holiday shipping”

As Bezos moves on, Amazon posts record Q4 results, but volumes are dropping in Q1-21
https://internetretailing.net/industry/as-bezos-moves-on-amazon-posts-record-q4-results-but-volumes-are-dropping-in-q1-21-22646
“However it expects volumes to drop in Q1 and Q2 2021 as the pandemic flattens and recedes.”

Amazon Without Bezos: Business as Usual?
https://digishare.eu/amazon-without-bezos-business-as-usual/
“The end of an era, or business as usual? Whatever the future may bring, it’s hard to disagree that Jeff Bezos is stepping down as chief executive at the height of Amazon’s powers.”

Amazon settles tip-related allegations regarding delivery employees
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/amazon-settles-tip-related-allegations-regarding-delivery-employees/
‘”Rather than passing along 100% of customers’ tips to drivers, as it had promised to do, Amazon used the money itself,” Daniel Kaufman, acting director of the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement.’

Covid lockdowns are supercharging Amazon’s international business
https://qz.com/1968215/covid-lockdowns-are-supercharging-amazons-international-business/
“For years, the company’s international expansion has lagged behind its growth in North America—that is until this most recent quarter.”

Government working on “excessive profits tax” for online retail giants
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/02/government-reported-to-be-working-on-excessive-profits-tax-for-online-giants-after-covid-19-windfall/
“The Downing Street policy unit is working on a one-off Covid windfall tax to be applied to firms who saw their business boom since national lockdowns in the UK began in March 2020, reported The Sunday Times, citing leaked emails.”

Online consumers not finding much joy
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/online-consumers-not-finding-much-joy/
“The report polled 4,000 consumers across the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.”

Opinion

What economic data tells us about the retail industry in 2020
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/what-economic-data-tells-us-about-the-retail-industry-in-2020/
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers across the globe are being forced to adjust selling methods, marketing strategies, and fulfillment operations to meet the shift in consumer behaviors.”

How retailers can win big by embracing the digital consumer
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/how-retailers-can-win-big-by-embracing-the-digital-consumer/
“What does matter to consumers in 2020 and will in 2021 is financial security, health, safety, and — especially as working from home becomes the norm — comfort. Consumers are also more concerned, and demonstrating with their wallet, the importance of social responsibility and sustainability. Retailers who embrace these consumer trends will be the big winners in 2021.”

How One Brand Grew a Massive Audience by Building a News Site
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2021/02/nutanix-audience-growth-content-hub/
“Now is the time for businesses to invest in publications they own and control.”