Consumers Buying In to Digital Wallets
September 4, 2020
The recent rise in digital wallet adoption shows a marked contrast with slow growth in digital wallet use in the U.S. prior to the pandemic. As more consumers become comfortable using digital wallets — and possibly begin to prefer them — it’s not a stretch to conclude that many will embrace these shopping habits permanently, causing acceptance rates to continue to grow. [More…]
EXPERT ADVICE
Amazon Vendors: Look at Direct Fulfillment Right Now
September 2, 2020
Amazon recently confirmed that it is facing fulfillment center capacity limitations. This is one reason why its Direct Fulfillment program that allows vendors to ship directly from their warehouses to their customers, is going to become increasingly prevalent. Amazon sellers should prepare to adopt Direct Fulfillment immediately. But why is this the perfect moment, and how can its benefits be maximized during the remainder of 2020? [More…]
Software Piracy Spreading With the Virus
September 1, 2020
Software piracy involves much more than businesses and consumers using illegal copies of computer programs. What lurks within the pirated copies is often rogue code — malware — that can be just as deadly to computers and users’ finances. Software companies are reporting that piracy has increased 20 to 30 percent due to COVID-19. [More…]
FAA Clears Amazon for Drone Delivery
September 1, 2020
Amazon has cleared a key government hurdle in its flight path to deliver packages by airborne drones. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has granted the online retail giant a Part 135 certificate, which allows Amazon Prime Air to operate as an air carrier. The move lets Amazon make commercial deliveries under a trial program that uses drone technology announced last year. [More…]
EXPERT ADVICE
Best Practices to Improve the E-Commerce Checkout Process
August 28, 2020
To deliver exceptional customer experiences at-scale, retailers need to have their finger on the pulse of changing consumer expectations. Modern consumers expect checkout to be seamless and safe, no matter the digital channel or their geographic location. Let’s look at best practices that retailers are using to revamp their checkout experience. [More…]
5 Cloud Computing Trends in 2020 and Beyond
August 25, 2020
Cloud technology has matured substantially during the past 15 years, and now a paradigm shift is taking place, away from legacy in-house IT business services, to a cloud-first technology-driven agile workplace. Here are five trends in cloud computing for organizations to consider when plotting an IT infrastructure strategy. [More…]
Holiday Shopping Forecast: Less Spending, More Empathy
August 24, 2020
The 2020 holiday shopping forecast and consumer spending patterns well into next year will be marked by a pullback in spending, an increase in consumer expectations for brand behavior, and a focus on supporting small businesses. Marketers are advised to focus on brand values and trustworthiness to combat the continuing challenges retailers face in courting consumers across all generations. [More…]
Summer Stats Show a Frenzy of Sales and a Flurry of Fraud
August 21, 2020
Despite the struggles the pandemic imposes on the economy, consumer activity gives both retailers and e-tailers hope for continued growth as the recovery persists. Though fraud continues to escalate as criminals take advantage of card-not-present payment methods, including buy online pick-up in store (BOPIS), or click-and-collect. [More…]
Retailers to Consumers: Let’s Get ‘Phygital’
August 20, 2020
The pandemic has exposed one fundamental, seemingly contradictory reality: people like to shop online, but they also crave in-person experiences. This era has also made clear that there’s an answer to this conundrum: to provide shopping experiences that combine both physical and digital elements. Also known as “phygital” experiences, these strive to give customers the best of both the online and in-person worlds. [More…]
Amazon Eyeing Mall Anchor Stores as Fulfillment Centers
August 19, 2020
Amazon is huddling with the largest mall owner in the United States to turn anchor stores into fulfillment centers, and possibly retail outlets. The deal with Simons Property Group would give Amazon access to space formerly occupied by Sears and J.C. Penney, both of which have filed for bankruptcy. [More…]
More Consumers Buying Into Digital Payments
August 17, 2020
As consumers get more acquainted with shopping and banking digitally, it seems logical that more people would be inclined to pay their bills online. A recent survey of more than 3,000 adult consumers shows that nearly 70 percent prefer digital payment options, such as website and mobile app channels, to pay their one-time bills. [More…]
In-Store Commerce Kicked to the Curb
August 13, 2020
Curbside service is one of the more popular strategies that businesses and consumers now use to navigate the ‘new normal’. Ideally, it’s a contactless, convenient experience for all involved. For curbside pickup to be successful, however, it needs to be as quick and easy as possible for consumers — and a large part of that ease of use requires adequate business planning and management. [More…]
TECHNOLOGY LAW CORNER
Website Development Contracts, Part 6: Lawsuit or Arbitration?
August 12, 2020
Like it or not, disputes do arise from time to time. So it’s always a good idea to plan for the worst and hope for the best. A website development contract should identify how the parties will handle disputes. Nowadays, contractual disputes can be handled in a variety of ways, in more than one forum. The most obvious forum, of course, is the courthouse. [More…]
Automated CX Strategies to Revitalize Customer Relations
August 11, 2020
If the ongoing struggles amid the pandemic have taught retailers anything, it is the need to automate their customer service experience. Customer experience automation is making the difference between hanging on until closing down and ensuring more returning customers. [More…]
Fun Seekers Revel at Virtual Parties
August 6, 2020
Though initially isolating, the coronavirus pandemic has spawned a whole new world of digital parties and get-togethers. People stuck at home are finding innovative ways to socialize, participating in everything from virtual beer tastings to online book club meetings. While the event landscape has been permanently altered by this shift, people and businesses continue to develop new ways of having fun. [More…]