Predictive Analytics

Digital marketing is a discipline that is rapidly evolving; that’s because the Web itself is changing faster than ever. We’re nearing the realization of Web 3.0 – The Semantic/Intelligent Web – thanks to the mountains of data pouring out of new devices, products, and social platforms every second of every day.

As a result, marketers need to understand how this deluge of data impacts content & community marketing strategies.

Before you declare your personalized marketing efforts a success, check with your customers.

That is the overriding message from a global study of 1,200 consumers and 200 marketing professionals conducted in October 2015 by Forrester Consulting for hybris. The study, “The Contextual Marketing Imperative,” finds that while 66% of marketers rate their efforts at personalization as “very good” or “excellent,” just 31% of consumers report companies are consistently delivering personalized, cross-channel experiences

Specialty outdoor retailer The North Face is engaging its nature-oriented online customers in a very down-to-earth way.

The North Face is launching a new interactive online shopping experience. Using the IBM Watson artificial intelligence platform and Fluid XPS intuitive recommendation engine, customers can now use natural conversation as they shop online to receive personalized outerwear recommendations.

Despite the mixed outlook for holiday sales, the private equity community remains interested in retail, believing that the sector can offer the opportunity to achieve scalable growth.

So far this holiday season, consumers are turning to their desktop PCs for shopping more than ever before.

According to new data from comScore, through the first 36 days of the November-December 2015 holiday season (Nov. 1 – Dec. 6), desktop spend totaled $35.36 billion. This marks a 6% increase from $33.38 billion for the equivalent period in 2014. Although rate of year-over-year growth is below the 9% previously predicted by comScore, the total figure still sets a new record.

So far this holiday season, consumers are turning to their desktop PCs for shopping more than ever before.

Industry estimates show in-store conversion rates (percentage of visitors who take the desired action to purchase) are below 30% and dropping. This means 70% of store visitors leave without buying. Never before has there been greater competition for sales and a smarter, more connected consumer base.

When it comes to understanding what consumers want, one retailer stands tall above the rest.

According to a new study of 1,000 consumers from beacon marketing platform provider Swirl Networks Inc., Amazon.com holds a clear lead in knowing its customers. Fifty-six percent of consumers say that Amazon demonstrates an understanding of their individual preferences and needs on a regular basis.