eCommerce

Boston – Women are more likely to have shopped online in the past year than men (57% compared to 52%), but men are more likely to have made a purchase via smartphone (22% compared to 18%) or tablet (20% compared to 17%), according to a new study from SeeWhy Conversion Academy.  

The report, “The Roles of Gender, Geography and Age in Mobile Commerce,” reveals that among 18-to-24-year-olds, women are actually more likely than men to shop via smartphone (21.6% compared to 21.3%) and tablet (20% compared to 14%).

New York -- While online retail sales continue to rise, regional malls continue to generate profits, according to an SNL Financial LC analysis.

The U.S. Census Bureau has estimated that retail e-commerce sales for the second quarter of 2013 grew by 4.9% over the prior quarter to $64.8 billion, an 18.4% gain over the preceding 12 months. Still, e-commerce accounts for less than 6% of retail sales, according to SNL (www.snl.com).

Most retailers now have some sort of social presence, but too often it consists of having an account on popular social media networks and little more. Following are five examples of recent retail social media offerings that leverage social media’s unique ability to engage consumers, improve operations and boost profits.

American Eagle – ‘Rock Your Walk’

Dallas – Neiman-Marcus Group Inc. and Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) are reportedly seeking loans to support merger and acquisition activity.

According to Bloomberg, Neiman-Marcus is trying to secure $3.75 billion in loans to support its planned buyout by Ares Management LLC and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. That figure reportedly includes a $2.95 billion term loan and an $800 million asset-backed loan.

Fort Worth, Texas — Epiphany Boutique will open a 1,463-sq.-ft. store at West 7th, a mixed-use development at the intersection of West Seventh Street and University Drive in Fort Worth, according to Cypress Equities, the developers of West 7th.

The store is slated to open in early October. Centennial Retail Services represented the landlord. Epiphany Boutique represented itself.

 

New York -- Chain Store Age invites retailers, design firms, architects and suppliers to submit entires for its 33rd annual Retail Store of the Year design competition.     For more information and an entry form, click here.   

New York -- Shoppers in the United States are most likely to combine online and in-person sources when buying consumer electronics (70%), toys (66%), apparel (58%), and home appliances (57%), according to a new study by Gfk. At the low end of the omnichannel spectrum in the United States are cleaning products (14%), OTC medications (15%), and food and beverages (15%).

The study shows that, across 12 categories, 37% of U.S. shoppers – and 29% globally – are turning to both online and in-store shopping when making purchases.

Alexander Rink, CEO of price intelligence solutions provider 360pi, recently spoke with Chain Store Age to discuss the importance of accurate pricing data to retail success. By obtaining timely internal and external pricing information, retailers can ensure a consistent omnichannel customer experience and also prevent the loss of sales to lower-priced competitors.

What are the advantages of having up-to-date pricing information on your competitors?