Tag: E-Commerce

Catalogue browsing boosts online shopping spend (UK)

Posted by | Nov 14, 2007 | |

Shoppers who browse a catalogue before making purchases online spend on average 25 per cent more than those who do not, new research revealed today.

Royal Mail’s Home Shopping Tracker Study 2007 revealed that on average online shoppers spend GBP 1,221 every year. But this figure jumps to GBP 1,526 for online shoppers who consult catalogues before making an internet purchase.

The study also revealed that catalogues received through the post have a stronger influence than those picked up in store. Four out of ten (39 per cent) of online shoppers browse for at least one purchase from a posted catalogue compared with 24 per cent who said they use catalogues they picked up in a store.

The research, unveiled after IMRG* predicted online sales in the run up to Christmas this year would increase 42 per cent to GBP 13.8 billion, also revealed that:

– In the past year, 47 per cent of online shoppers consulted a paper catalogue prior to an online purchase
– 61 per cent of consumers now shop from home – the highest ever recorded level, representing a 15 per cent growth since 2006
– Over 70 per cent of home shoppers say that they recycle their catalogues
– An average online shopper now purchases over 27 times a year, up 12 per cent from 2006
– 1 in 5 online shoppers are now over the age of 55 – that is double the number of two years ago

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Skillsmart Retail Analysis: Online retailing potential developments and its impact on people and skills

Posted by | Nov 1, 2007 | |

This analysis explores how the adoption of online trading has introduced new opportunities for retailers and how these might affect those who work in the sector and the skills they may need. It is based largely on secondary sources and commentary from retailers themselves.
We briefly chart how online retailing has moved from being viewed as a minority hobbyist pursuit, to one which is now a mainstream route for retailers.
Like many IT based innovations, the development of online retailing channels presents businesses with a range of new choices. In this sense, the development of the technology is a ‘driver’ helping to shape the future of the sector.
However, culture and politics in companies and of consumers will be complementary drivers and will also shape how the new technology will be applied.
We speculate that on balance the development of online retailing is likely to further increase the depth and breadth of many job roles in the sector.
Within senior managerial occupations, online retail will pose a series of strategic challenges around the role of their online trading platforms and evaluation of their success. Professional and associate professionals will also be affected as online retailing will increase the breadth of activities they have to deal with.
The fulfilment of orders will also lead to new demands. Warehouse systems may increase in their complexity. Many delivery personnel will be expected to offer more than a perfunctory drop off of the item; some might even e expected to offer advice and expertise on the product being delivered.
The blurring of boundaries between online and traditional retailing will also present interesting challenges for store managers, sales and customer service roles. Where online and traditional retail operations operate seamlessly, many employees will require knowledge of the entire range of products and services on offer and skills to carryout a wide range of processes.
Within the retail sector previous developments have focused on reducing errors. It has also helped develop job roles that rely on modest levels of skills. The development of online trading may reinforce this trend.

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UPS Survey: American businesses missing global opportunities

Posted by | Oct 9, 2007 | |

Most of America’s small- and mid-sized businesses have failed to explore the significant growth opportunities offered by an increasingly global economy. Indeed, a new survey conducted for UPS shows 67 percent of the nation’s small-to-mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still chaining themselves to the U.S. economy.

The inaugural UPS Business Monitor United States, a survey of 600 business decision-makers conducted by the marketing insight firm TNS, found that only 33 percent reported participating in any cross-border trade. Of those, 15 percent are importers and nine percent exporters. Nine percent do both.

“The survey shows that many American SMEs haven’t gone global yet,” said David Abney, chief operating officer of UPS. “And if they don’t take part in trade, they stand to lose their competitive edge in a business environment that continues to transcend international borders. For example, McKinsey** estimates that nearly 1 billion new consumers are expected to enter the global marketplace over the next decade as a result of economic growth in emerging markets, creating a significant opportunity for American small businesses.”

Survey respondents cite many reasons for not engaging in international trade, including a perception that it is too risky, a lack of knowledge about international markets, unfamiliarity with customs regulations and disinterest in expanding business beyond U.S. borders.

Among businesses that either import or export, 45 percent perceive global trade as a benefit while 18 percent see it as a disadvantage. Slightly more than half – 52 percent – say global expansion will help them remain competitive or create an opportunity to increase profits. One out of every four believes that global expansion could lead to competition that will cut into profits.

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B2C stats in the UK

Posted by | Oct 3, 2007 | |

1. HDNL: Handle some 1.4 million parcels p.a. of which 52 million are “in-house”, i.e. from their parent company mail order businesses.
2. 40% of total B2C market is clothing at around £50 value per order.
3. Most “mail order” type B2C deliveries will be priced as low as £2 per parcel/packet.

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