eCommerce sales have grown exponentially over the last decade, nearly reaching $300 billion in 2014. Retail consumers are now spending half their shopping time online, whether it’s via computer, tablet or smartphone, to research their purchases before they make them. Because of the ramp-up in time spent shopping online, consumers are demanding a better experience. Part of those expectations include a more seamless, immersive experience across all retail channels. With the volume of online sales increasing rapidly, however, so has the...

In a recent whitepaper published by CoreMedia, a leading developer in web experience management solutions, the editors there discussed the importance of adapting the way businesses design their respective eCommerce and marketing content websites to be more fluidly integrated. Strong emphasis was placed on a more streamlined and less convoluted experience for the consumer when shopping online, especially when targeting the key millennial demographic. Further enabling customers to feel they have all the tools necessary to make informed purchases not only...

On Aug. 15th, the advanced eCommerce sales report for Q2 2014 was published by the U.S. Census Bureau. As could be expected, business owners were anxious to see how Q2 fared in comparison to its predecessor – especially those business owners who have invested in omni-channel marketing initiatives. According to the U.S. Census Bureau report, Q2 maintained the upward momentum that eCommerce has been experiencing for quite some time. The estimate of eCommerce sales was set at $75 billion, an increase...

As the retail and eCommerce trade show circuit continues – with the Internet Retail Conference and Exhibition less than two weeks away – folks in the industry are abuzz with the insight that comes with attendance. Just recently, IBM hosted its annual Smarter Commerce event in Tampa, Fla., where attendees learned about the latest trends emerging in the industry. Likewise, shows like eTail East and West are also educating retail business leaders how to go to market more effectively. No...

Last year, the Oxford English Dictionary dubbed ‘selfie’ as the word of the year. If it were up to the retail industry, however, 'omni-channel' should have been the word to define 2013. As a new way of thinking about multi-channel retailing, omni-channel dominated conversations in 2013 and will continue to rule the day in 2014 and beyond.  Although consumers might not be privy to the term, merchants can't seem to escape it. The thing is, however, that merchants shouldn’t want to...

Sci-fi authors – the Nostradami of technology – have been making accurate predictions of modern-day living since as far back as 1888 when the idea of debit cards surfaced in the utopian tale “Looking Back.” Similarly, Philip K. Dick, the author behind “Minority Report," foresaw and wrote about various technologies that are being put into play today by forward-thinking retailers. Essentially, it’s the emergence of omni-channel and the need to create seamless shopping experiences across various channels that is bringing the...

Minus the chore of finding a good parking spot and lugging around multiple shopping bags, online retailers are trying to replicate in-store experiences for their customers in the digital world. And other than a few snags, they’re getting much better at it. One of the snags tripping up many retailers, however, is the big task of inventory management. More often than shoppers would like, an item is placed into an online shopping cart – maybe even purchased – before finding out...

On average, shoppers switch retailers when they cross channels – talk about customer disloyalty. But can we really blame the consumer class for their shopping habits? Probably not, considering how difficult it is to draw a line in the sand between one retailer and another. Let’s face it; most big companies are just too similar in the type of goods they offer, the price structure they deliver and the purchasing experience they create. As a result, there is little differentiation between...

Omni-channel retailing became one of the biggest buzzwords of 2013, and its popularity among business owners will only continue to increase. Essentially, those that adopt it will thrive while those that don't will, inevitably, wither on the vine. Despite its sometimes intimidating ways, omni-channel retailing is being better understood by the eCommerce community as a whole. Business owners are becoming more familiar with what it entails and what degree of adoption is appropriate for their businesses. No matter the level of...

When the in-laws make a last-minute announcement that they’ll be rolling into town, there is undoubtedly a bit of scrambling to do. At the very least, the guest bedroom might need a quick makeover. [Insert favorite home goods store] to the rescue!   For simplicity’s sake, let’s say that favorite home goods store is Target. For this frazzled daughter- and son-in-law, Target usually has the hypoallergenic pillows and sheet sets that they like. But the last thing they’ll want to do...