E-Commerce

Target is a victim of its own success. The discounter drummed up so much hype around its exclusive, limited-time line by upscale Italian designer Missoni that its website crashed and was down most of the day on Sept. 13 when the collection was launched, angering customers. More than a week later, some shoppers who bought the Missoni for Target line are posting on social media websites Facebook and Twitter that they won't shop at Target again because their online orders are being delayed — or worse, canceled — by the retailer.

Is a Groupon model the next big thing for B-to-B? Apparently not. Or at least not now. Chicago-based consulting firm Ajilitee used Groupon to offer $25,000 worth of consulting services at half price. It was the biggest deal Groupon had ever offered.

Routines are easy to fall into. Whether it’s getting ready for work and out the door each morning or tackling customer acquisition and conversion strategies, you’ll never discover a better way to approach these tasks if you stay inside your comfort zone. Similarly, it’s easy to recycle tried-and-true approaches to your retail strategies, especially for the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Retail Online Integration is pleased to present the Retail Marketing Virtual Conference & Expo - Fall 2011 on Sept. 27. Don't miss this free, informative one-day virtual event with leading retailers discussing a wide variety of retail marketing topics.

Wal-Mart plans to launch a dedicated page on Walmart.com that will feature an assortment of products created by women in nearly two dozen countries, including women who work in cooperatives and own small businesses.

Aeropostale announced that it's expanding its reach to international consumers through a partnership with FiftyOne Global Ecommerce. Consumers in more than 90 countries worldwide can now purchase directly from Aeropostale.com.

Mohan Singh, head of Asian consumer equity research at MF Global, believes that Esprit's growth is likely to come from emerging markets like India and China.

New social commerce fashion website Shop My Label, is letting users curate an online boutique, which can be named after them and promoted via social media sites like Twitter. On every sale that's made, the shop owner gets a commission cut. 

It happens every year, the brief window of time when shoppers emerge in droves and raid the world of retail in search of the latest products and most attractive promotions. It’s the holiday shopping season, and in today’s multichannel environment the lines at brick-and-mortar stores are dwindling as more consumers transition to the digital realm.

Despite the struggling economy and high unemployment rates, consumers plan to stuff their holiday stockings a little fuller this year. According to ShopperTrak, national retail sales when compared to the same period last year, will rise 3.0 percent during November and December, while foot traffic will decrease 2.2 percent.