Apple, Inc.

San Francisco — There has been a 112% increase in mobile traffic to retailer websites in the past year while desktop traffic dropped 4%. According to analysis of billions of user sessions to U.S. retailers’ desktop and mobile websites and apps between October 2013 and October 2014 by mobile solutions provider Skava, mobile Web accounts for 85% of total traffic for retailers, dominating mobile apps’ 15% share.

 

High expectations are the key to everything. Take mobile for example. Apps from Starbucks, Uber, Netflix, and Apple have all made outstanding digital experiences expected and commonplace. Finally, customers have a taste of products and services that work the way they should, effectively reprogramming consumer expectations for all digital experiences.  

For children on a long journey, the typical refrain is, “Are we there yet?” However, for retail IT practitioners and executives, the challenge is not in waiting to get “there,” but figuring out what “there” even is. The question for the IT journey on which retailers are now traveling can be more appropriately phrased as, “Where are we going?”

Armonk, N.Y. - Online sales were up 18.7% the weekend before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22-23) compared to the same two-day period in 2013. According to IBM Digital Benchmark analysis, mobile traffic accounted for 48.8% of all online traffic, an increase of 24.4% year-over-year.

In addition, mobile sales accounted for 26.6% of all online sales, an increase of 23.9% year-over-year.

Armonk, N.Y. - Online sales were up 18.7% the weekend before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22-23) compared to the same two-day period in 2013. According to IBM Digital Benchmark analysis, mobile traffic accounted for 48.8% of all online traffic, an increase of 24.4% year-over-year.

In addition, mobile sales accounted for 26.6% of all online sales, an increase of 23.9% year-over-year.

CHICAGO - Best Buy’s 43 Chicagoland stores are sporting a fresher look and assortment upgrades after the retailer’s $20 million overhaul earlier this year.

The stores’ face-lifts cover multiple areas, from new fixtures, carpeting, lighting and paint, to new customer experiences and shopping areas in stores.

Store enhancements include:

Apex, N.C. - TechPay Mobile Payment Systems has launched the SwiftPay mobile payment system. SwiftPay requires no new hardware for the merchant to install, it integrates directly into the retailer’s existing system.

New Canaan, Conn. - Count on Customer Growth Partners president and CEO Craig Johnson to provide a refreshing break from the standard Black Friday forecast.  Here’s his take on the top 10 retail-related holiday myths of 2014:   

Yonkers, New York - Forest City Ratner Companies, owner and developer of Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers, New York, announced that The Container Store will occupy 25,000 sq. ft. on Market Street across from The Whole Foods Market Yonkers.   

With consumer surveys and holiday forecasts a dime dozen this time of year, Customer Growth Partners CEO Craig Johnson offers his take on some of the biggest fallacies regarding retail spending.

Customer Growth Partners, a consulting and research firm focused on retail and other consumer industries has determined that the top 10 biggest holiday myths of 2014 are: