E-Commerce

Augmented Reality Presents Many Opportunities for Retailers
February 17, 2011

So-called "augmented reality" is the overlaying of digital information onto the real world, and everyone from game designers to retailers to health care companies to estate agents are gearing up to use it. While the potential for such technology to change the world is vast, the biggest challenge for its backers will be to convert this virtual revolution into rock-solid profits. Fortunately, there are countless ways this can be achieved, but not all are immediately obvious.

5 Best Practices to Optimize E-Commerce Sales
February 16, 2011

Tallying over $30 billion in online sales during the holiday shopping season, 2010 will go down as the year e-commerce emerged as the most convenient means of shopping for consumers. As more retailers look to leverage their websites to increase sales and revenues, they should be well prepared to keep those sites healthy and viable.

Retailers Need to Address Significant Website Task Completion Issues, Study Finds
February 16, 2011

iPerceptions has announced the release of its Retail/E-Commerce Industry Report for Q4 2010. The report reveals that 40 percent of ‘Buy’ visitors reported the inability to complete their task. As Q4 represents the highest traffic volume of the year for most e-tail sites and that the share of ‘Shop’ visitors are at their peak, addressing issues that improve task completion for this fiercely sought-after group is essential.

How Retailers Can Use Video More Effectively
February 16, 2011

Adding video to e-commerce sites is a way for retailers to provide consumers a better look at products, an explanation of how they work and other information. Research shows video increases conversion on retail sites, and even decreases the number of items returned. And it’s one of the fastest-growing content types for online merchants.

Survey: Live Chat Increasing in Importance
February 16, 2011

Bold Software surveyed more than 200 of its customers about their experiences with live chat over the holidays, and 77 percent cited the customer communication channel as critical (up 8 percent from last year), with 34 percent saying it was very or extremely critical.

Barnes & Noble Wants Amazon's Rejected Affiliates
February 15, 2011

Barnes & Noble issued an open letter to Amazon affiliates attempting to capitalize on problems the online retailer faces with some state tax authorities. States such as New York have told Amazon it must collect state sales tax because its affiliates count as a physical presence. In response, Amazon has shut off affiliates in states that have enacted such laws.

Tommy Hilfiger the Latest to Set Up Shop on eBay
February 11, 2011

Tommy Hilfiger opened a store on eBay last month, joining Calvin Klein, Timberland, Brooks Brothers, Marc Ecko, Aldo, Jockey and other fashion brands in selling directly on eBay. eBay has transformed its clothing, shoes, and accessories category into a fashion portal with flash sales on the fashion vault, and new designs, enhanced navigation and the ability to create personalized fashion shopping profiles.

A Leg Up on the Competition: Talbots' Photoshop Mishap
February 11, 2011

We know Talbots is going to a new image, but we're not sure this is the best way to go about it. The brand's Eyelet Cover-up can apparently be worn not only after a swim, but after a haphazard Photoshop job.

Amazon Closing Texas Center Amid Dispute
February 11, 2011

Online retail giant Amazon.com is closing a suburban Dallas distribution center and scrapping plans to expand Texas operations after a dispute with the state over millions of dollars in sales taxes, an executive informed employees in an email obtained by The Associated Press.