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

Retail footfall sees modest rise last week
https://www.theretailbulletin.com/newsletter/retail-footfall-sees-modest-rise-last-week-18-05-2020/
“New data has revealed that footfall across UK retail bricks-and-mortar destinations increased by just 3.3% between Monday 11 and Saturday 16 May in comparison to the week before despite lockdown restrictions being eased in England.”

Lower spend spread more widely as shoppers shift online, but continue to use stores worldwide…
https://internetretailing.net/industry/lower-spend-spread-more-widely-as-shoppers-shift-online-but-continue-to-use-stores-worldwide-21390
“Shopper across the US and Europe are increasingly shopping online – and plan to continue to do so after lockdown – but many are still using stores.”

… while having the best online presence and good stock control in both real and virtual worlds vital for survival
https://internetretailing.net/industry/-while-having-the-best-online-presence-and-good-stock-control-in-both-real-and-virtual-worlds-vital-for-survival-21391
“Making sure that any given retailer has the best online presence, best store experience and can manage the two simultaneously will be crucial to survival going forward.”

COVID-19 spurring impulse spending, reveals survey
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/covid-19-spurring-impulse-spending-reveals-survey/
“American consumers let the shopping impulse go free in the past few months with impulse spending spiking 18% during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

COVID-19 pushing consumers toward mobile banking, online shopping
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/covid-19-pushing-consumers-toward-mobile-banking-online-shopping-2/
“The COVID-19 pandemic is driving U.S. consumers toward mobile banking and digital payments, according to a study by payments firm FIS.”

ACI Worldwide reports surge in global e-commerce retail amid COVID-19
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/aci-worldwide-reports-surge-in-global-e-commerce-retail-amid-covid-19/
“Global e-commerce retail sales rose 209% during the month of April, as consumers moved in-store activity to online and mobile channels due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an ACI Worldwide study.”

Ecommerce apps start to attract more sales as online consumers switch to mobile
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/ecommerce-apps-start-to-attract-more-sales-as-online-consumers-switch-to-mobile-21388
“According to data from global app marketing platform Adjust, ecommerce apps are beginning to see growing installs and rising in-app sessions as more online shoppers turn to mobile.”

73% of UK consumers say current online experience from brands will change future spending post-lockdown
https://internetretailing.net/customer/73-of-uk-consumers-say-current-online-experience-from-brands-will-change-future-spending-post-lockdown-21387
“With shoppers pledging to continue shopping online post-lockdown, half will switch brands that have given them a poor online experience so far, pan-European research suggests.”

Adobe: COVID-19 spurs spike in e-commerce
https://www.retaildive.com/news/adobe-covid-19-spurs-spike-in-e-commerce/577873/
“According to Adobe’s Digital Economy Index report, buy online, pickup in-store (BOPIS) transactions jumped 208% year-over-year in April.”

Online logs retail growth, but broader picture shows record slump in April
https://internetretailing.net/industry/online-logs-retail-growth-but-broader-picture-shows-record-slump-in-april-21386
“Like-for-like UK retail sales increased by 5.7% in April, however pretty much all of that growth was driven by online sales – on a total basis, UK sales slumped 19.1% against last year, the biggest fall on record according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG.”

Consumer spending drops 36.5% in April, but some retailers continued to see growth as habits change
https://internetretailing.net/industry/consumer-spending-drops-365-in-april-but-some-retailers-continued-to-see-growth-as-habits-change-21384
“Online spending on food, DIY, games consoles and subscriptions see some growth during lockdown, however overall consumer spending has dropped by more than a third, according to Barclaycard data.”

Cross-border Online Sales Rise Worldwide, but Picture Varies Across Regions: Global-e [halfway down page]
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/updated-coronavirus-round-up-moss-bros-to-reopen-online-plus-more-on-bq-rebooting-uk-retail-the-future-of-retail-property-leases-cross-border-online-retail-non-essential-store-openings-and-covid-19-retail-deaths-21370
“Cross-border online sales have risen by an average of 11% worldwide so far this year – to mid-April – compared to the same time last year, says cross-border ecommerce solutions provider Global-e.”

Black Friday in April: e-commerce is booming according to three reports
https://searchengineland.com/black-friday-in-april-e-commerce-is-booming-according-to-three-reports-334648
“Store closures crashed traditional retail spending, but online sales are still on fire.”

Thousands of small retailers flock to eBay for business during lockdown
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/05/thousands-of-small-retailers-flock-to-ebay-for-business-during-lockdown/
“More than 50,000 new sellers, including small and indie retailers, have joined eBay since coronavirus lockdown”

Amazon delivery times to return to pre-coronavirus levels
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/05/13/amazon-delivery-times-to-return-to-pre-coronavirus-levels/
“One-day and two-day delivery times will once again become the norm for Amazon shoppers as the retailer says it has caught up with a backlog of orders.”

Lockdown prompts £12.9bn shift in annual home shopping spend
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/05/lockdown-prompts-12-9bn-shift-in-annual-home-shopping-spend/
“This change is largely due to UK adults’ increased spending on four key “at home” sectors – groceries, alcohol, entertainment and hobbies and crafts – during the lockdown, according to the research from Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebre) and Legal & General.”

Lidl owner launching its own rival to Amazon Web Services
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/05/11/lidl-owner-launching-its-own-rival-to-amazon-web-services/
“Lidl’s parent company Schwarz Group is taking on Amazon by launching its own cloud computing service for third party retailers.”

Amazon Posts: A feed-based shopping experience on Amazon
https://searchengineland.com/amazon-posts-a-feed-based-shopping-experience-on-amazon-334636
“If your brand has social content created, adding Amazon Posts into the channel mix is an easy way to get some real estate with this new placement.”

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 shows slight uptick although it remains severely depressed
https://www.theretailbulletin.com/general-merchandise/consumer-confidence-shows-slight-uptick-although-it-remains-severely-depressed-08-05-2020/
“A new survey by GfK has shown there was a slight improvement in consumer confidence at the end of April despite the level remaining “severely depressed”.”

RetailX Coronavirus Consumer Confidence Tracker – 6th May
https://internetretailing.net/themes/retailx-coronavirus-consumer-confidence-tracker—6th-may-21367

Trends in the RetailX Coronavirus Consumer Confidence Tracker
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/trends-in-the-retailx-coronavirus-consumer-confidence-tracker-21363

Coronavirus Tracker: most UK shoppers have stopped going to stores – and four in 10 say they’ll continue to buy as they do now
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/coronavirus-tracker-most-uk-shoppers-have-stopped-going-to-stores–and-four-in-10-say-theyll-continue-to-buy-as-they-do-now-21365
“Almost nine in 10 (89%) UK shoppers say they have reduced or stopped their visits to shops as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic – and 43% now say that after the pandemic is over they expect to carry on shopping in the way they do now, the latest RetailX research suggests.”

Retailers close the sales gap as online shopping rises 23% in a week in UK – but where are shoppers spending?
https://internetretailing.net/industry/retailers-close-the-sales-gap-as-online-shopping-rises-23-in-a-week-in-uk–but-where-are-shoppers-spending-21360
“With many UK brick-and-mortar stores remaining closed, new data shows that retailers are closing the sales gap through their digital offerings – with online sales in the UK increasing 27% from the same time year-on-year and increasing by 23% from last week.”

How ecommerce and social distancing measures will impact future industrial and logistics demand for space
https://internetretailing.net/industry/how-ecommerce-and-social-distancing-measures-will-impact-future-industrial-and-logistics-demand-for-space-21359
“With the latest ONS stats revealing that retail online sales reached a record high of 22.3% in March 2020, changes in consumer behaviour – driven predominantly by social distancing measures – will continue to stimulate e-commerce related industrial and logistics property requirements.”

“Don’t forget millennials demand for ecommerce”, study warns retailers
https://internetretailing.net/customer/dont-forget-millennials-demand-for-ecommerce-study-warns-retailers-21358
“While many brands are focussing their ecommerce and digital efforts at vulnerable groups who are new to ecommerce, they should be aware that nearly half (44%) of millennial consumers now prefer their online purchases to be digital and instantly downloadable, rather than physical.”

How the consumer mindset is shifting during COVID-19
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/how-the-consumer-mindset-is-shifting-during-covid-19/
“With that shift has come new “rules of engagement” for retailers. Here are a few of the trends we’ve seen emerge over the last few weeks and are likely to remain long after stay-in-place orders are lifted.”

How Covid-19 is changing the way shoppers buy: three studies
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/how-covid-19-is-changing-the-way-shoppers-buy-three-studies-21348
“Two new studies suggest that shoppers will change the way they buy – and the way they use technology.”

How Covid-19 has changed shopper behaviour
https://www.marketingweek.com/how-covid-19-has-changed-shopper-behaviour/
“Bazaarvoice research combining page views, orders, reviews and surveys reveals high demand for leisure goods during lockdown, not just basic necessities – but also issues with availability.”

Sainsbury’s CEO: Shift to online shopping will stick post-Covid-19
https://www.marketingweek.com/sainsburys-shopping-habit-post-covid-19/
“Covid-19 has accelerated the shift to digital in the grocery market out of necessity, but Sainsbury’s outgoing CEO believes many of these checkout-free habits will stick.”

Tequila and bedsheets: Five popular lockdown buys
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52561241
“A new report by Waitrose and John Lewis has tracked what its customers have been purchasing from week to week.”

Amazon VP quits “in dismay” over whistleblower sackings
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/05/05/amazon-vp-quits-in-dismay-over-whistleblower-sackings/
“Amazon has seen the shock departure of one of its vice presidents who said remaining at the company would have meant “signing off on actions I despised”.”

Amazon employee from facility at centre of safety controversy dies of COVID-19
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/05/06/amazon-employee-from-facility-at-centre-of-safety-controversy-dies-of-covid-19/
“An Amazon employee from its Staten Island fulfilment centre has died of COVID-19, raising serious concerns about the safety of its workers.”

Voice

Less than essential: Why smart speakers are like smartwatches, not smartphones
https://searchengineland.com/less-than-essential-why-smart-speakers-are-like-smartwatches-not-smartphones-334239
“The devices have reached 50% of US homes, but fallen flat as a channel”

SEO

New Google ‘Rising Retail Categories’ tool exposes fast-growing product searches
https://marketingland.com/new-google-rising-retail-categories-tool-exposes-fast-growing-product-searches-279329
“This is the first time Google says it has provided this kind of data to the public.”

Social

Instagram and social engagement rises in lockdown – but influencers having less impact
https://marketingtechnews.net/news/2020/may/06/instagram-and-social-engagement-rises-but-influencers-having-less-impact/
“More people are engaging with Instagram, but posts from influencers are on the decline as marketing budgets are slashed, according to the latest report from Socialbakers.”

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

Global retail sales set to fall by 9.6% in 2020: Forrester
https://internetretailing.net/themes/coronavirus-round-up-forrester-predictions-on-global-sales-co-op-central-england-intu-and-as-small-businesses-move-online-fast-21339
“Analysts have predicted that retail sales will fall by 9.6% around the world in 2020 – equivalent to a loss of $2.1 trillion (£1.65 trillion).”

Amazon shutters French warehouses until 5 May
https://internetretailing.net/marketplaces/amazon-shutters-french-warehouses-until-5-may-21321
“The decision comes as Amazon evaluates how to proceed after being ordered by the Versailles Court of Appeal to shut down all non-essential shipments due to alleged unsafe conditions in its warehouses.”

Ecommerce brands set to fare best – with Amazon faring best of all – in the coronavirus year
https://internetretailing.net/industry/ecommerce-brands-set-to-fare-best–with-amazon-faring-best-of-all–in-the-coronavirus-year-21319
“According to the latest report by Brand Finance, the top 50 most valuable retail brands, on average, should see a slight increase in brand value following the pandemic, growing a modest 1% – a result of the majority of the brands in the ranking either being e-commerce brands or dominant, well-known brands, which tend to have strong e-commerce capabilities.”

Online grocery sales grow 33% in 2020 as shopping habits shift permanently, consumers tell Mintel
https://internetretailing.net/industry/online-grocery-sales-grow-33-in-2020-as-shopping-habits-shift-permanently-consumers-tell-mintel-21316
“This rise follows four consecutive years of slowing growth: in 2019 growth fell to a historic low of just 2.9%. The market is set to be worth £17.9 billion by 2024, growing by 41% over the five-year period.”

Coronavirus ‘obliterates’ hopes of UK retail recovery for months to come, as spend set to fall by globally 3% over 2020
https://internetretailing.net/industry/coronavirus-obliterates-hopes-of-uk-retail-recovery-for-months-to-come-as-spend-set-to-fall-by-globally-3-over-2020-21315
“According to separate research by McKinsey, consumer confidence is at an all-time low, with just 17% of British consumers saying they believe the economy will rebound in the next 2-3 months.”

Shopify launches its own shopping app allowing users to browse local businesses
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/04/29/shopify-launches-its-own-shopping-app-allowing-users-to-browse-local-businesses/
“Shop is a new shopping platform from Shopify, which provides the foundation for over 1 million ecommerce websites across the world, now available to download on iOS and Android.”

Amazon unique visitor level tips 4 billion mark
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/amazon-unique-visitor-level-tips-4-billion-mark/
“Amazon saw 4.06 billion unique visitors in March — more than eBay, Apple, Walmart, Samsung.com, Apple.com and Rakuten sites combined.”

The White House included Amazon on a list of “notorious” piracy sites
https://qz.com/1848245/us-includes-amazon-on-list-of-piracy-and-counterfeit-goods-sites/
“Several of Amazon’s international sites have landed on a list of “notorious markets” for counterfeit and pirated goods published annually by the US government.”

Amazon expected to post 25% boost in revenues as it’s accused of potentially violating safety laws
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/04/29/amazon-expected-to-post-25-boost-in-revenues-as-its-accused-of-potentially-violating-safety-laws/
“Amazon’s labour practices “may violate several provisions” of official health and safety laws according to New York’s attorney general Lititia James.”

Amazon Q1 sales soar but profits tumble
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-q1-sales-soar-but-profits-tumble/577171/
“Online product sales rose 24% year over year to $36.7 billion, falling from last quarter’s $45.7 billion, with physical store sales up 8% year over year to $4.6 billion.”

Amazon testing live video calls to vet third-party sellers
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-testing-live-video-calls-to-vet-third-party-sellers/577115/
“Amazon will use a proprietary machine learning system to review hundreds of unique data points to spot potential risks, such as whether the account is associated with another previously shuttered account.”

Voice

Soon there will be more voice devices than people on Earth – but monetisation remains a problem
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/soon-there-will-be-more-voice-devices-than-people-on-earth–but-monetisation-remains-a-problem-21312
“By 2024, consumers will interact with voice assistants on more than 8.4 billion devices, overtaking the world’s population and growing 113% compared to the 4.2 billion devices expected to be in use by year end 2020.”

Marketing

Anchor launches a video conference-to-podcast conversion tool
https://marketingland.com/anchor-launches-a-video-conference-to-podcast-conversion-tool-279108
“The Spotify-owned company’s new tool may help businesses get more out of their webinars and online conference content.”

How to Make a Weekly Podcast: A Step-by-Step Guide
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/04/process-publish-podcast-tools/
“Hopefully this is helpful as you either begin or actively look to build your business case for creating a podcast of your own.”

How the Hub and Spoke Strategy Can Help You Drive More Content Leads
https://contently.com/2020/04/27/hub-spoke-strategy-drive-more-content-leads/
“…it’s a smart strategy to turn your meaty research and reports into smaller pieces of content, tailored to your various distribution channels. These divisible pieces of content are the spokes that drive traffic back to your “hub” content.”

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

UK retail sales fall at fastest rate ever – while ecommerce takes record share of spending
https://internetretailing.net/industry/uk-retail-sales-fall-at-fastest-rate-ever–while-ecommerce-takes-record-share-of-spending-21298
“At the same time, ecommerce took its largest ever share of retail spending – at 22.3% of all sales.”

New customers make up almost half of retailers’ ecommerce sales in March [halfway down page]
https://internetretailing.net/themes/coronavirus-round-up-how-shoppers-are-changing-the-way-they-buy-in-updates-from-emarsys-melody-forter-iri-bloomreach-and-a-new-edinburgh-farmers-market-21306
“Data from Covid-19 Commerce Insight, run jointly by customer engagement specialist Emarsys and analytics provider GoodData, suggests that retailers saw 43% of ecommerce transactions coming from customers who were new to them, and 23% from active repeat customers.”

RetailX Coronavirus Tracker: Shoppers settle into new ways of buying
https://internetretailing.net/industry/retailx-coronavirus-tracker-shoppers-settle-into-new-ways-of-buying-21300
“The latest RetailX Coronavirus Consumer Confidence Tracker suggests that shoppers have adopted new buying habits since the start of the coronavirus pandemic – but that these habits have remained broadly similar since the last edition of this research two weeks ago.”

RetailX Coronavirus Consumer Confidence Tracker – 22nd April
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/retailx-coronavirus-consumer-confidence-tracker—22nd-april-21299

IMRG: online sales continue to grow [halfway down page]
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/coronavirus-round-up-ingka-centres-on-reopening-malls-plus-updates-from-studio-the-ons-imrg-institute-of-customer-service-dpd-and-shipster-21293
“The figures, shared in the latest IMRG coronavirus webinar, show sales of clothing still slightly down on last year, while sales of electricals, home and garden, and health and beauty are still well ahead of last year, but declining compared to highs seen in recent weeks.”

60% of EU citizens now shop online, study finds
https://internetretailing.net/customer/60-of-eu-citizens-now-shop-online-study-finds-21291
“This represented an increase from the 2018 figure of 56% and from the 2009 figure of 32%”

More Evidence of the Mixed Impact of Coronavirus on Retail
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/updated-coronavirus-round-up-latest-on-boohoo-amazon-google-shoppingslots-lovethesales-growth-of-ecommerce-and-more-21289
“Yet, whilst online retail as a whole saw a rise in revenue across March 2020, the impact varied by vertical. Toys and games ecommerce businesses have seen the greatest growth, with a rise in revenue to 341%, followed by food and drink and the tobacco and vaping sectors, both of which rose to over 200% of their normal revenue.”

Online shopping surges by 129% across UK and Europe and ushers in new customer expectations of etail
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/online-shopping-surges-by-129-across-uk-and-europe-and-ushers-in-new-customer-expectations-of-etail-21286
“Online shopping rates continue to surge, growing 129% week-on-week in UK and Europe, according to the latest research – and it is rapidly shifting customer expectations of what they get from ecommerce.”

UK businesses pessimistic about their future after lockdown
https://www.theretailbulletin.com/general-merchandise/uk-businesses-pessimistic-about-their-future-after-lockdown-27-04-2020/
“The survey by the Institute of Directors questioned over a thousand directors about their organisations’ prospects over the coming 12 months and the result showed a net balance of -22%.”

Consumers fearful of economic future, reveals COVID-19 impact report
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/consumers-fearful-of-economic-future-reveals-covid-19-impact-report/
“A hefty majority of consumers worldwide, 77%, are fearful about the economic future and just over half report incomes are compromised as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

COVID-19 pandemic drives e-commerce upward big time
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/covid-19-pandemic-drives-e-commerce-upward-big-time/
“E-commerce, however, experience a 59% growth rate just in the last two weeks, according to a press release on the data. In addition to fashion, footwear is a hot commodity for online shoppers.”

Fake reviews problem is much worse than people know
https://marketingland.com/fake-reviews-problem-is-much-worse-than-people-know-278976
“Like a virus it infects all the major review sites, especially Google and Amazon.”

Opinion

Amazon is doing well, but could it be better?
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-is-doing-well-but-could-it-be-better/576350/
“While at first e-commerce seemed to be the automatic, almost magical solution to the problem of closed stores during the pandemic, that notion was quickly debunked.”

Marketing

5 Logistical Tips That’ll Help You Pull Off a Great Webinar
https://contently.com/2020/04/27/5-logistical-tips-great-webinar/
“As companies start to produce more webinars and virtual conferences, I put together a list of essential pointers that’ll help you put on the best show possible.”

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

Surge in ecommerce will outlive corona across Europe, consumer research suggest
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/surge-in-ecommerce-will-outlive-corona-across-europe-consumer-research-suggest-21231
“The share of consumers that do 50% or more of their total number of purchases online has increased dramatically on all three of Europe’s biggest e-commerce markets.”

Food, Electronics and Home goods top three performing categories online, but hardest hit sectors plummet 15%
https://internetretailing.net/industry/food-electronics-and-home-goods-top-three-performing-categories-online-but-hardest-hit-sectors-plummet-15-21221
“Ecommerce revenues and conversions for Food, Electronics and Home goods have seen a rise due to the impact of Covid-19, while the hardest hit verticals have seen a 15% decrease in revenues.”

White goods, cars and properties top list of purchases put on hold by 40% of shoppers
https://internetretailing.net/customer/white-goods-cars-and-properties-top-list-of-purchases-put-on-hold-by-40-of-shoppers–21220
“Forty per cent of consumers plan to spend as little as possible for the coming months, with 47% of UK consumers saying that the Coronavirus crisis will have a significant impact on their spending habits over the next 12 months, according to this week’s instalment of Mapp Digital’s Covid-19 Consumer Confidence Report.”

Klarna shows COVID-19 related shift in purchases toward health, beauty
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/klarna-shows-covid-19-related-shift-in-purchases-toward-health-beauty/
“For retailers and brands, this week’s data may indicate that shoppers are choosing to buy items such as skincare and things like jigsaw puzzles and craft materials, now that they have already purchased the comfortable clothes they need to get through this work at home period”

Retailers urged to continue trading online amid Covid-19 chaos
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/04/retailers-urged-to-continue-trading-online-amid-covid-19-chaos/
“Business secretary Alok Sharma has urged UK retailers to continue trading online “as a vital lifeline” for the nation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.”

RetailX Tracker: how coronavirus is continuing to change the way we shop, four weeks in
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/retailx-tracker-how-coronavirus-is-continuing-to-change-the-way-we-shop-four-weeks-in-21241
“The third edition of the RetailX Coronavirus Consumer Sentiment Tracker suggests that shoppers are gradually buying online more than they used to before the outbreak of the pandemic – while three in 10 have [stopped] buying from bricks and mortar stores altogether.”

RetailX Coronavirus Consumer Confidence Tracker – 8th April
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/retailx-coronavirus-consumer-confidence-tracker—8th-april-21243
“The first consumer survey that formed part of this series was conducted almost seven weeks ago. Since then, few businesses and retailers, in particular, have been untouched by the effects of the virus and the lockdown on consumer confidence and behaviour.”

Online sales growing at Black Friday levels [halfway down the page]
https://internetretailing.net/themes/updated-coronavirus-round-up-ons-aldi-imrg-dunelm-waitrose-and-more-21262
“Online sales grew by 38% last week, according to the latest figures from the IMRG-Capgemini online sales tracker. That, said Lucy Gibbs, managing consultant, retail insight, at Capgemini, is the kind of sales growth previously only seen around Black Friday.”

Consumer spending declines 6% in March as coronavirus measures take effect, yet some retailers see strong growth
https://internetretailing.net/customer/consumer-spending-declines-6-in-march-as-coronavirus-measures-take-effect-yet-some-retailers-see-strong-growth-21248
“Analysis of nearly half of the nation’s credit and debit card transactions handled by the payment company, reveals that spending on essential items rose by 11.6%.”

March retail sales plummet as crisis unfolds, but online not as hard hit
https://internetretailing.net/industry/march-retail-sales-plummet-as-crisis-unfolds-but-online-not-as-hard-hit-21249
“However, ecommerce fared better. Online non-food sales increased by 18.8% in March, against a growth of 2.5% in March 2019. This is above the 12-month average growth of 4.4%. Non-food online penetration rate increased from 29.3% in March 2019 to 43.5% this March.”

Amazon faces warehouse shutdown in France
https://internetretailing.net/marketplaces/amazon-faces-warehouse-shutdown-in-france-21254
“A French court has ordered Amazon to stop selling non-essential goods in the country as the company faces criticism over the risk of infection spreading in its warehouses.”

How UK consumer shopping habits are set to be permanently altered by lockdown
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/-how-uk-consumer-shopping-habits-are-set-to-be-permanently-altered-by-lockdown–21245
“More than three quarters (77%) of these went on to say that they expect they will continue to purchase online more once the lockdown is over – indicating a potentially irreversible change in consumer purchasing behaviour.”

First month under lockdown sends online clothing sales spiralling down, gardening, electricals and beauty sales up
https://internetretailing.net/industry/first-month-under-lockdown-sends-online-clothing-sales-spiralling-down-gardening-electricals-and-beauty-sales-up-21247
“In the month where Spring buying would typically set in, online clothing sales were down -23.1% Year-on-Year (YoY), but lockdown sent online garden sales soaring to +94.4% YoY.”

“Unforgettable Easter weekend for retail” sees footfall down 83% on last year
https://internetretailing.net/industry/unforgettable-easter-weekend-for-retail-sees-footfall-down-83-on-last-year-21246
“Latest data from Retail Intelligence experts Springboard reveals that footfall across UK retail bricks and mortar destinations was 83.1% lower than Easter weekend last year and 14.5% lower than over the same four days in the previous week.”

Amazon continues to gain share in apparel
https://www.retaildive.com/news/amazon-continues-to-gain-share-in-apparel/576185/
“More than 70% of apparel shoppers bought clothing or footwear on Amazon in the past 12 months, up 10 percentage points from last year and almost 25 percentage points from 2018, according to Coresight Research’s latest survey of clothing consumers, released April 14…”

Amazon hiring on once again to handle pandemic’s online shopping surge
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/amazon-hiring-on-once-again-to-handle-pandemics-online-shopping-surge/
“The online shopping surge due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is driving Amazon to hire on another 75,000 employees less than a month after it announced it was hiring on 100,000 workers.”

Amazon sellers get green light to send any kind of item to Amazon warehouses
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/amazon-sellers-get-green-light-to-send-any-kind-of-item-to-amazon-warehouses/
“While it lifted the ban on what can be shipped to warehouses it is limiting the number of items at this point.”

Opinion

British retailers should prepare for growth in the Chinese e-commerce market post coronavirus
https://internetretailing.net/international/british-retailers-should-prepare-for-growth-in-the-chinese-e-commerce-market-post-coronavirus-21244
“Morecroft says that when the outbreak of the virus occurred in China earlier this year, it inadvertently created a boom in the Chinese e-commerce market as consumers were forced to self-quarantine.”

From Covid-19 to sustainability: Rob Hattrell of eBay on what’s driving change in the way we shop
https://internetretailing.net/interviews/interview-from-covid-19-to-sustainability-rob-hattrell-of-ebay-on-whats-driving-change-in-the-way-we-shop
“In today’s interview, Rob Hattrell, chief executive of online marketplace eBay UK, talks about the factors that are currently driving the way we shop – and how retailers can respond”

India’s coronavirus lockdown has given online grocers the opportunity of a lifetime
https://qz.com/india/1831130/inside-covid-19s-impact-on-indias-grocery-delivery-boom/

Why Amazon warehouses are shut down in France, and why it won’t happen in the US
https://qz.com/1839177/why-amazon-is-shut-down-in-france/

Even once Covid-19 is under control, stores may think twice about reopening right away
https://qz.com/1835802/once-covid-19-is-tamed-stores-still-may-not-want-to-open-right-away/

Will COVID-19 change consumer buying habits long term?
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/articles/will-covid-19-change-consumer-buying-habits-long-term-2/
“While everyone is anxious for the day when a proven vaccine allows us to return to our daily routines, will consumer buying habits really be the same as pre-COVID-19?”

Marketing

Signal to noise: Connecting with customers in times of crisis
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/blogs/signal-to-noise-connecting-with-customers-in-times-of-crisis/
“Success in this new paradigm means finding a way to cut through this noise to sustain meaningful relationships with the customers you’ve worked so hard to create.”

What Marketers Can Learn From Freelancers About Working Remotely
https://contently.com/2020/04/14/marketers-learn-freelancers-working-remotely/
“To gather tips on being productive while working remotely, I talked to freelancers and consultants who, like myself, have already lived this life for years.”

Why and How to Bring Empathy Into Your Content
https://moz.com/blog/how-to-bring-empathy-into-your-content
“Creating content can feel incredibly difficult right now. If you’re like me, you’ve spent the last few weeks oscillating between a can-do approach and hours of staring into space. Here’s how to tap into those very real emotions and channel them into more impactful content.”

The No-Fail Formula for Creating Awesome Webinar Content
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/04/create-webinar-content/
“But, as of now, it seems not enough B2B or B2C companies excel in webinar creation. I compiled this list of the tips and tools that will help even novice marketers create highly effective webinar content.”

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

How different categories are selling online: IMRG
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/updated-coronavirus-round-up-imrg-hm-arcadia-joules-mintel-pets-at-home-the-hut-group-and-rare-on-the-developing-pandemic-21209
“Online sales rose by 0.6% in the last week of March (starting March 22) and by 10.3% compared to the previous week, new IMRG data suggests. But while the data, shared on an IMRG webinar this week, shows overall online sales holding their ground, different categories are faring very differently.”

Following COVID-19: How coronavirus pandemic is impacting retail
https://www.retailcustomerexperience.com/news/following-covid-19-how-coronavirus-pandemic-is-impacting-retail/
US-focused stories collected by date

As ecommerce grows, online shoppers are getting more bang for their buck, index suggests
https://internetretailing.net/industry/as-ecommerce-grows-online-shoppers-are-getting-more-bang-for-their-buck-index-suggests-21196
“The rise in ecommerce is driving increased sales of some key items – and falls in sales of others – but it is also seeing shoppers get more for their money.”

Online orders up 88% globally driven by demand for tools, toys and cosmetics, traffic study shows
https://internetretailing.net/industry/online-orders-up-88-globally-driven-by-demand-for-tools-toys-and-cosmetics-traffic-study-shows-21195
“Nationwide lockdowns around the world have created increased demand for products that can be used at home, with online retailers offering tools and building materials showing enormous growth.”

First week of stay at home guidance sees mixed online sales results
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/03/first-week-of-stay-at-home-guidance-sees-mixed-online-sales-results/
“According to the Online Retail Index from IMRG and Capgemini, the week commencing March 15 saw online retails sales decline by 2.2 per cent year-on-year.”

RetailX tracker: how has the way we shop changed, two weeks into coronavirus?
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/retailx-tracker-how-has-the-way-we-shop-changed-two-weeks-into-coronavirus-21175
“Electronics retailer Dixons Carphone has said shoppers are buying more technology as they spend more time living, working and being entertained at home. RetailX findings suggest that the number who are spending more in this area is lower than those who are spending less or have stopped spending altogether.”

RetailX Coronavirus Consumer Confidence Tracker – 25th March
https://internetretailing.net/covid-19/retailx-coronavirus-consumer-confidence-tracker—25th-march-21174
“This week the tracker reveals that 24% of shoppers have changed how they shop (mostly going online instead of offline) and that they will retain this behaviour even after the crisis has abated.”

Online spending patterns for ‘stay at home’ consumers mapped
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/online-spending-patterns-for-stay-at-home-consumers-mapped-21155
“Payment data from countries initially impacted by the outbreak of Covid-19, covering Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong – has been mapped by mobile payment company Bango to assess likely shifts in consumer behaviour in Europe and the US.”

Traffic to US retail stores has almost entirely vanished due to Covid-19
https://qz.com/1829531/covid-19-has-caused-us-retail-traffic-to-almost-entirely-vanish/
“In a research note sent to clients today, investment firm Cowen and Company estimated total foot traffic to US retailers was down 97.6% for the week through March 27 compared to the same time last year.”

The lessons Nike learned in China during the coronavirus outbreak
https://qz.com/1825248/what-nike-learned-in-china-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/
“In the three months through Feb. 29, Nike reported … more than 30% growth in its online sales in greater China versus the same period last year.”

Amazon Is Delaying Its Summer ‘Prime Day’ Promotion: Reuters
https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-04-03/amazon-is-delaying-its-summer-prime-day-promotion-reuters
“Amazon.com Inc. will delay its July “Prime Day” sales event at least until August, according to a report from Reuters.”

Amazon Primed: More Internal Memo Leaks, Prime Day Delayed
https://www.forbes.com/sites/paularmstrongtech/2020/04/05/amazon-primed-more-internal-memo-leaks-prime-day-delayed-pushes-harder-into-video-games/#49497d477ee9
“Amazon got royally dinged for leaked internal memos this week surrounding how to handle unionists.”

Amazon succumbs to pressure announcing it will provide face masks and temperature checks for all staff
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/04/03/amazon-succumbs-to-pressure-and-will-provide-face-masks-and-temperature-checks-for-all-staff/
“All locations will reportedly have surgical masks available for staff by early next week, and the ecommerce giant said it would start testing hundreds of thousands of staff a week using no-contact forehead thermometers.”

Amazon under investigation by New York City’s human rights commission after sacking strike organiser
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/04/01/amazon-under-investigation-by-new-york-citys-human-rights-commission-after-sacking-strike-organiser/
“Smalls alleges that Amazon sacked him in retaliation for leading the strike, which Amazon says was attended by 15 staff despite some sources reporting around 60 attendees.”

Amazon “living hell to work for” as staff complain operations continuing as usual
https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2020/03/27/amazon-living-hell-to-work-for-as-staff-complain-operations-continuing-as-usual/
“However numerous anonymous sources have complained that swathes of non-essential orders were being fulfilled and workers are being put at unnecessary risk.”

Mobile

Retail app downloads and conversions hit new heights as brands engage and entertain during lockdown
https://internetretailing.net/mobile-theme/retail-app-downloads-and-conversions-hit-new-heights-as-brands-engage-and-entertain-during-lockdown-21198
“Levels of app downloads last week peaked on the weekend of the 27-28 March, beating Cyber Monday 2019 and almost catching up with the record levels seen on the last Black Friday.”

VR, AR, and AI

IKEA furthers virtual design vision by acquiring AI imaging start-up
https://internetretailing.net/themes/ikea-furthers-virtual-design-vision-by-acquiring-ai-imaging-start-up-21211
“IKEA has acquired a US-based AI imaging company as it looks to make it easier for customers to use technology to plan designs.”

Opinion

The Big Question: Should retailers of ‘non-essential’ goods continue trading online?
https://www.retail-week.com/technology/the-big-question-should-retailers-of-non-essential-goods-continue-trading-online/7034531.article
“As the retail industry faces unprecedented challenges because of the coronavirus pandemic, Retail Week asks industry experts for their view on the biggest questions of the moment.”

Analysis: Can non-essential retailers trade online without damaging their brand?
https://www.retail-week.com/general-merchandise/analysis-can-non-essential-retailers-trade-online-without-damaging-their-brand/7034505.article
“Should they, as retailers of items deemed not to be essential, continue to operate online, or should they shut their digital shops as well as their physical ones?”

Marketing

How to Make the Case for Content Marketing in Uncertain Times
https://contently.com/2020/03/30/make-case-content-marketing-uncertain-times/
“In the face of that uncertainty, companies are tightening their belts. A number of people have reached out to me asking for advice on how to protect their budget and make the case for content.”

How to Brainstorm Great Lead Generation Content
https://contently.com/2020/03/24/brainstorm-great-lead-generation-content/
“As more downloadable e-books, guides, webinars, and reports flood the web, it’s harder and harder to get people to convert. That’s because most lead gen content isn’t very good, and people are wary of falling into the marketing funnel of hell.”

7 Brands Getting Email Right During a Crisis
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/04/email-marketing-crisis-examples/
“Let’s take a look at seven examples of brands that are rising to the occasion to deliver value, offer assistance, and promote togetherness – even though we all need to stand six feet apart.”

How to Create a Persuasive About Us Page that Converts
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/03/persuasive-about-us-page-examples/
“If your brand has fallen into that default mode, pivot now with this advice to craft a strategic, effective About Us story.”

7 Free Ways to Get Original Data for Your Content
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2020/03/free-original-data-content/
“The catch? You have to be clever. So I asked a group of clever marketers to suggest how to generate original data on a budget and use the resulting insights to create effective content.”