E-Commerce

As of early July, more than half (55 percent) of back-to-school and college shoppers had already begun buying items for the upcoming school year, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Total back-to-school spending is expected to reach $38.8 billion, the second-highest figure on…

In the fiercely competitive realm of online shopping, each phase of the customer journey greatly influences conversion rates and customer loyalty. The checkout process is a crucial last step in this journey. In fact, half of consumers want the process to be easier. A seamless and effective checkout procedure results in increased conversion rates, enhanced customer…

Preliminary results for Amazon Prime Day, held July 16-17, show that shoppers spent about $7.2 billion online across retailers — not just at Amazon.com — during the first day of the e-commerce sales event, which has quickly become as ubiquitous as the fall Cyber Monday sales day. Adobe Analytics reported that the $7.2 billion amount…

While we may not be saying “happy holidays!” just yet, now is the time for e-commerce marketers to turn their attention to one of the most important shopping seasons of the year: Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM). The key to success is making data-driven decisions with a goal of driving profitability. Below are six…

Amazon Prime Day, which has become an industry-wide moment as consumers embrace deals across retailers, will drive $14 billion online — a 10.5 percent increase year-over-year — for U.S. retailers, according to data recently published by Adobe Analytics. The event,  taking place July 16-17, will also bring steeper discounts, a rise in back-to-school shopping, and…

NAPCO Research recently produced a pair of comprehensive reports on the state of the digital gift card industries in the U.S. and Australian markets. These studies, produced in conjunction with Blackhawk Network, evaluate the purchaser and recipient experience for both digital and physical cards of a brand's own gift card, based upon 100-plus unique criteria.…

Beauty brand e.l.f. has expanded its partnership with virtual world and gaming platform Roblox to include real-world commerce, reports PYMNTS. In the new virtual kiosk within the e.l.f. Up! experience on Roblox, which is powered by Walmart, U.S. visitors can buy a Roblox-exclusive limited-edition physical product — a hoodie — as well as a selection…

Today’s consumers crave personalized shopping experiences, as retailers are well aware. After all, these heightened demands are what have led most brands to invest significant time and resources to customize how consumers shop, ranging from suggesting relevant products and reminding shoppers when to replenish products, to creating interactive experiences to help shoppers identify and discover…

The direct-to-consumer (DTC) landscape has faced its share of challenges and misconceptions in recent years. While some high-profile brands have struggled, leading to a perception of decline in the DTC space, the reality is far more nuanced. The key takeaway is clear: DTC brands are not dead. In fact, the smart ones are thriving by…

Retail sales jumped significantly in May, showing strong increases both month-over-month and year-over-year, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF). Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were up 1.35 percent seasonally adjusted month-over-month and up 3.03 percent unadjusted YoY in May, according to…