E-Commerce

eBay Buys Secondhand Clothing Startup Twice
July 21, 2015 at 2:02 pm

E-commerce giant eBay has acquired secondhand clothing seller startup Twice, Re/code reported Monday. Twice, one of Inc. Magazine’s 30 under 30 companies this year, allows sellers to ship a box of clean used clothes to the company. Twice offers a single price for the entire contents of the box and if the sellers accept, the…

Amazon, Wal-Mart Rival Jet.com Launches New E-Commerce Model
July 20, 2015 at 2:43 pm

Marc Lore's ambition is as spectacular as his view of the sparkling Manhattan skyline. From new headquarters on the Frank Sinatra side of the Hudson River, the former Quidsi founder's latest venture — Jet.com — plans to take on online shopping's biggest players, from Amazon.com to Wal-Mart. Jet's consumer proposition is as simple as its…

Families Trim Back-to-School Spending for 2015
July 17, 2015 at 2:10 pm

After spending more on school supplies and electronics in 2014, parents this year will head into the back-to-school season evaluating what their children really need before spending on new items. According to the National Retail Federation's Back-to-School Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the average family with children in grades K-12 plans to…

Amazon: Prime Day Beats Black Friday
July 16, 2015 at 3:21 pm

So much for Black Friday. Amazon released a statement Wednesday afternoon — about 14 hours after the launch of its "Prime Day" — saying the 24-hour mega-sale, by at least one measure, had surpassed last year's big day of holiday shopping. "Prime Day peak order rates have already surpassed 2014 Black Friday," Amazon said, adding…

Amazon Prime Day is Less of a Mega-Sale Than a Crappy Yard Sale, Customers Say
July 16, 2015 at 2:53 pm

Amazon Prime Day, marking the site's 20th birthday, arrived with much fanfare, but it seems like no one's in the mood to party. Making bold claims that it would surpass Black Friday in scope, the e-commerce giant told customers they should literally set their alarms to wake up at midnight for hot deals only available to…

Amazon Prime Day: The Logic Behind A Retailer's Made-Up Holiday
July 15, 2015 at 3:20 pm

Amazon.com is taking an interesting approach to its birthday this year. The company is throwing itself a party where all its Prime customers get the gifts. Amazon Prime Day is slated for July 15, “a one-day shopping event with more deals than Black Friday,” held ostensibly to celebrate the company’s success over its 20-year existence.…

The Path to an eBay Revival
July 15, 2015 at 3:06 pm

As eBay prepares for life without its faster-growing PayPal business, the e-commerce pioneer’s future seems uncertain. Incoming Chief Executive Devin Wenig hopes a return to eBay’s roots will be the path to its revival. Until investors are confident in his plans, however, it will be a drama worth watching after PayPal is officially spun off…

5 Ways Retailers Can Improve Their Gifting Strategies
July 14, 2015 at 2:48 pm

Breaking through the noise to establish your online store as a gift destination isn't easy. The good news is that your customers love your products. However, data shows that many customers who purchase items for themselves online aren't necessarily shopping for gifts at the same stores. Much of this is due to the various obstacles…

How Amazon Sellers Can Capitalize on Prime Day
July 14, 2015 at 2:44 pm

Amazon.com’s Prime Day is tomorrow, and retailers will need to be prepared for the tidal wave of purchasing activity on Amazon. In honor of the e-commerce behemoth’s 20th birthday, Amazon plans to host a day of crazy sales and giveaways, with sales forecast to be greater than on Black Friday. Third-party Amazon sellers stand to…

Rakuten Buys Virtual Fitting Room Startup Fits.Me in Fashion Commerce Play
July 13, 2015 at 2:18 pm

Rakuten, Japan’s answer to Amazon.com with e-commerce operations and investments that stretch from digital media and e-commerce marketplaces through to social media and transport apps, is making another acquisition to expand its holdings, this time in the area of fashion. The company has acquired Fits.me, a startup that develops “virtual fitting rooms” — two-way technology…