E-Commerce

Amazon.com sellers reported Tuesday they were unable to list items for sale on the marketplace. "I have been trying to list on Amazon all day and I keep getting an error," one seller told EcommerceBytes. Sellers on the Amazon discussion board said they received the following error message when attempting to list new items:

Declaring mobile is leading a "commerce revolution" that will create significantly different consumer and retail experiences worldwide, eBay outlined its three-year growth strategies to lead and innovate in this technology-driven, more connected new commerce environment. In a company-held meeting for the financial community, eBay said it intends to drive strong continued growth in its core Marketplaces, PayPal and GSI Commerce businesses. At the same time, the company is focused on leveraging its global mobile commerce leadership and other commerce technologies to enable new experiences for consumers and retailers.

Google is finally opening up its Google Shopping Express service to the public today, with the same day delivery service being made available as a test to select users in San Francisco and the Peninsula from San Mateo to San Jose. Participating retailers include, as we've previously reported: Target, Walgreens, Staples, American Eagle, Toys"R"Us/Babies"R"Us, Office Depot, San Francisco's Blue Bottle Coffee, Raley's Nob Hill Foods, and Palo Alto Toy & Sport.

When the founders of a start-up that sells eyeglasses online, Warby Parker, began investigating why designer glasses cost several hundred dollars, they discovered that everyone in the process was taking a cut: designers, manufacturers, brands, wholesalers and retailers. But what if they left out most of those people? "I had been to the factories and knew what it costs to manufacture glasses and knew the cost didn't warrant a $700 price tag," said Neil Blumenthal, a founder of the company. Inspired by glasses they found in their grandparents' attics, the founders

Consumers going online to shop is happening with more regularity than ever before. In fact, e-commerce sales accounted for 10 percent of total retail sales in 2012, the first time that figure has reached double-digits. As a result of this shift in consumer behavior, retailers need to optimize their websites to present the best possible experience for shoppers. Here are seven tips to help you accomplish that:

Online merchants trying to get additional exposure for their listings on Amazon.com have another option these days — Sponsored Products — not to be confused with Product Ads. Amazon launched the pay-per-click Sponsored Products program in beta last year and announced this week it was opening up the program to new categories. Beginning Monday, sellers will be able to advertise their musical instruments and audio and video products with sponsored product ads.

Wanelo, the social shopping site that resembles a well-designed window display, is quickly gaining fans online, despite being largely under the mainstream radar. On Wednesday, the company revealed it had 6 million registered users through its website and application, 70 percent of them visiting the site at least once a month. In November 2012, the site had 1 million members. The service also said that it had a catalog of 5 million products, including items like printed tennis shoes and jeweled in-ear headphones, from 200,000 different online retailers and shops.

Wal-Mart plans to test the use of in-store lockers to hold goods ordered on its website until shoppers can pick them up, Reuters reported. Neil Ashe, president and CEO of the retailer's global e-commerce division, discussed the test, which which will get underway this summer in about 12 locations.

Fast-evolving technology is making it easier for retailers and other establishments to gather information about you from the moment you step into a store. Facial-recognition technology can now determine your gender and age, and — if one startup is successful — your identity. Technology can also assess how much time you spend in a store and the way you shop by tracking Wi-Fi-enabled phones.

After 13 years of selling high-end clothing and accessories, online retailer Net-a-Porter is expanding into the beauty category for the first time. The e-tailer is starting small. Only 11 brands — Chantecaille, Natura Bissé, Aesop, Le Metier de Beaute, 3 LAB, Beauty Works West, Philip B, Joya, Ilia, Sarah Chapman and James Read — are being offered at launch, with more promised on a weekly basis. The site plans to carry a "tight assortment" of "star products" in the makeup, hair, skin, nail varnish and fragrance categories, according to a statement from David Olsen, vice president of beauty at Net-a-Porter.