May/June Issue 2013
3 Email Marketing Trends for 2013 and Beyond
In a keynote presentation at eM+C's (sister brand of Retail Online Integration) All About eMail Live! conference earlier this year, David Daniels, CEO and co-founder of the Relevancy Group, a provider of marketing consulting and research services, highlighted five trends that email marketers need to be aware of if they hope to succeed in today's crowded marketplace. Here are three of those trends
5 Ways to Grow Your Email Marketing Revenues
Imagine you could do just five things to improve your email results. Each could give you an incremental lift in opens, clicks and conversions, but if you can make at least three out of five pay off, you get the bonus of the multiplier effect. Response improvements can combine to make a difference.
Belk Launches Cross-Channel Loyalty Program to Reward Customers
In commemoration of its 125 years in business and to demonstrate its commitment to and appreciation of its customers, Southern department store chain Belk has launched 125 Days of Prizes, a cross-channel sweepstakes program. During this time, Belk's customers will have the opportunity to win prizes and giveaways from some of the retailer's top designers and brands. Each day, customers will have the chance to win prizes retailing between $500 and $6,500. These giveaways include products from Michael Kors, Calvin Klein and KitchenAid.
Go Big or Go … Shopping?
What happens when you mix online shopping and gamers who have an affinity for sweepstakes? "Tournament shopping," the latest niche in the e-commerce industry.
Go for the Green
For some retailers, environmental sustainability has been built into their company's core values from the beginning; for others, it's been embraced more recently. Regardless of its origin, environmental sustainability is becoming a core consideration for the retail industry, one that affects strategy, operations, workforce engagement, and connection to consumers and communities.
Leading the Way to a Better Planet
Cause-based marketing — i.e., attaching your business to a philanthropic endeavor or social cause — has become increasingly popular among retail brands today. Consumers want to know that the brands they're purchasing from are committed to more than just growing their bottom lines. They expect retailers to be involved in the communities where they operate, whether that means donating to the local children's hospital or helping to build a park. Three retailers that are at the forefront of cause-based marketing when it comes to environmental sustainability are Kohl's, Ikea and Staples.
No Time to Stand Still
Mobile commerce is a driving force behind the dramatic and accelerating pace of change in the retail industry. More than ever before, consumers are relying on mobile devices to interact with brands and retailers. This has been the trend for the past several years, and so far 2013 has been no different. Four notable trends are leading the way this year
PalmBeach Jewelry Grows With Cross-Channel Acquisition Program
PalmBeach Jewelry, a cross-channel retailer of fashion jewelry based in Boca Raton, Fla., is seeing its customer acquisition rates nearly double thanks to a cross-channel acquisition program it implemented last year. The program, which is based on eWayDirect's CertainSource 2.0 solution, works across
The Top 100 Fastest-Growing Cross-Channel Retailers
We're proud to bring you our annual list of the 100 fastest-growing cross-channel retailers for the 2011 to 2012 fiscal year. To compile the list, we researched 2012 fiscal year net sales figures for all the public retail companies in the U.S. and Canada. We then compared those numbers to the previous fiscal year's net sales. After we figured out the percentage change year-over-year, we ranked each company in descending order for our top 100. We've also included some profiles that highlight specific companies on the list.
To Tax or Not to Tax
As I write this, the Senate just voted 74-20 to take up the Marketplace Fairness Act for debate and amendment, the bill's first procedural hurdle. The bill would empower states to require online retailers to collect state and local sales taxes for purchases. The taxes would be remitted to the state where the customer lives. Under current law, states can only require retailers to collect sales taxes if they have a physical presence in the state.
Upgraded Web Platform Handles Increased Traffic for IMA Following Reality TV Show Appearance
PROBLEM: International Military Antiques (IMA), a cross-channel retailer of military collectibles and antiques, needed to upgrade its web platform in order to handle an influx of traffic after the company was chosen to be featured on its own reality show, "Family Guns."
Why Printer Lead Times DO Matter
When deciding on a printer, most retailers focus on print manufacturing, paper and distribution (i.e., co-mail, freight and postage) costs. However, there's more to obtaining print bids than price. Printer lead times (i.e., the schedule) are also an important consideration. For example, the dates mail tapes and creative files are due to a printer shouldn't be assumed or taken for granted because they vary greatly. While this may not be a direct cost, long lead times from your printer can affect your sales and bottom line.
