The Top 5 Articles of 2013 From Retail Online Integration

Even though the new year kicked off only a week ago, the retail industry is already buzzing about the new technologies and trends that will take over 2014. Before we get caught up discussing "All-Channel Retail," Retail Online Integration (ROI) wanted to take a final look back to see which trends shaped retail in 2013. Below are the top five articles (based on clickthroughs) from ROI in 2013:

4 Trends That Will Dominate E-Commerce in 2013
By Doug Sternberg, executive vice president of client strategy, Dotcom Distribution

"Personalization has become a marketplace essential. Consumers want the ability to tailor product details to their personal preferences in real time. As a result, online sellers are counting on 3PL providers or in-house teams to add personalized features (e.g., monogramming, personalized messaging and custom packaging) to orders without interrupting fulfillment and shipping schedules." Read more …

The Top 100 Fastest-Growing Cross-Channel Retailers
By Retail Online Integration Staff

Retail Online Integration presented its third annual ranking of the fastest-growing cross-channel retailers based on year-over-year sales. A few of the companies listed include Michael Kors, Chico's and Pier 1 Imports. Check out the article to learn which companies made the cut. Read more …

How Retailers Can Best Compete With Amazon
By James A. Tompkins, president and CEO, Tompkins International

"So why should consumers shop with you? The specific answers will differ for each retailer since each defines its own unique retail strategy, technology solutions and supply chain capabilities. The overall concepts of strategy, technology and supply chain will be the same for all retailers, however. Now, the key question essentially becomes the following: How can retailers compete with Amazon by defining their unique positioning on these three concepts and present a compelling reason for consumers to shop with them?" Read more …

Confused About FedEx SmartPost, UPS SurePost and Other Deferred Residential Parcel Options?
By Rob Martinez, CEO, Shipware

"Google FedEx SmartPost or UPS SurePost and plenty of hits show up in the search results. Some reviews are positive, extolling benefits that include cost effectiveness and fewer surcharges over air/ground alternatives, end-to-end package visibility, free Saturday delivery, and more. However, your search results will include complaints ranging from transit times that were too lengthy to crushed/damaged packages. One thing is for sure: With the meteoric growth of e-commerce and consumers’ demand for free or low cost shipping, these services are here to stay. Residential shippers that continue to ship UPS Ground Residential and/or FedEx Home Delivery are wise to evaluate FedEx SmartPost and UPS SurePost's rates and services, in addition to other USPS service partners like Newgistics, OSM Worldwide and DHL Global Mail." Read more …

7 Customer Service Tactics to Copy From Apple
By Jim Gilbert, CEO, Gilbert Direct Marketing

"Over the years I've called Apple maybe 30 times. Never a bad experience there either. Just easygoing people happy to help me with my problems, who always took the time to get it right — even called me back if I got disconnected. A vastly different experience than I've had trying to call other tech companies. Some tech companies don't even publish their phone number at all (or they make you work to find it). So what can marketers take away from Apple?" Read more …

Honorable Mentions

1. 7 Tips for Using Pinterest in Your Marketing Efforts
2. 5 Questions Retailers Must Tackle to Attract and Retain Customers
3. 3 Reasons Why E-Commerce Sites Are Slowing Down, and What You Can Do About It
4. Kate Spade's CEO's Vision for the Future of Retail
5. 50 Best Tips of 2013
6. 4 Tips for Running a Flash Sale