EU Cross Border Shopping 2008
EU Cross Border Shopping 2008
Read MoreTag: Retailing
E-commerce: Expert says Posts must act more quickly
Posts have about 500 days left to grasp the opportunities being offered to them by e-commerce, estimates James ROPER, head of a global e-retail intelligence firm based in the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the UPU’s World Postal Business Forum, as part of POST-EXPO 2008, ROPER said e-retailing represented a “huge opportunity” and deplored Posts’ “inertia” in responding to this immense challenge.
Roper urged postal operators to act now in order to become “the” deliverers of choice for merchandise purchased online.
He stressed that Posts could play an important role in resolving the trust issue that still plagues the development of e-retailing. Posts must leverage their reputation as trusted third partners and their extensive networks to benefit from e-commerce, which is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years. Research shows that some 20% of the world’s population, or 1.4 billion people, already use the Internet, and an estimated 90% of sales will be affected by the Internet by 2020.
For that reason, ROPER strongly supported the UPU’s .post initiative, which aims to give the worldwide postal sector a unique secure and trusted identity on the Internet.
Read MoreCo-op reveals strong food sales results
The Co-operative Group (Co-op) has posted record results for the first half of the year, including a 43.5 pct rise in sales to GBP 2.4bn at its grocery business.
It said that like-for-like first half sales jumped by 5 pct, as the market overall saw sales rise by 4.6 pct. Trading profit at its food arm jumped 67.7 pct.
Such success occurred, the Co-op said, thanks to the expansion of its range and improvements to existing outlets.
Chief executive at the retailer Peter Marks remarked that this has been an “exciting” time and the food side of the business is “rejuvenated”.
And he said the company’s position as a community retailer can be consolidated following the agreement to purchase Somerfield.
But Marks added that the remainder of the year is likely to be very competitive as the credit crunch – along with inflation pressures – continue to make the market tough.
Total profit at the Co-op, including its pharmacies, funeral service and travel section, stood at GBP 197.6m (before payments to members).
Various moves have been made by the organisation in recent times, such as the introduction of a Yorkshire range, the creation of mini-banks in stores and a sustainable fish sourcing policy.
Read MoreKesko and Itella to expand their E-Commerce cooperation
Kesko and Itella have made an extensive cooperation agreement for developing electronic business operations. The aim is to use the service packages offered by Itella to help Kesko’s divisions launch their online trade projects. The agreement now signed will first be leveraged in Kesko’s home technology and sports trade. The new cooperation agreement is a further step in the long-established cooperation between Kesko and Itella.
Electronic customer communication and related services are developed intensively in the trading sector. The availability of Internet services is highlighted in the service offer of the K-Group stores. Kesko has designated the development of electronic customer communication as one of its strategic projects. The online retail services for customers produced by Kesko’s divisions are part of this project. Itella’s e-commerce service package is unique as it covers services for both information and material flows.
Read MoreCatalogues are a hit with ‘Tech Generation’ of younger shoppers (UK)
Almost two thirds of young consumers use a catalogue to shop, new Royal Mail research revealed.
Royal Mail’s Home Shopping Tracker Study 2008 revealed that 54 per cent of all adults use catalogues, either for buying directly or helping them with online or in store purchases. But for the 16 to 34-year-old age group this figure is even greater at 62 per cent – demonstrating that the ‘tech generation’ of young shoppers is embracing catalogues in the greatest numbers.
The annual study also revealed that the 37 per cent of shoppers who consulted a catalogue before making purchases online in the past year spent 13 per cent more than those who did not. Online shoppers spent GBP 1,502 on average but the figure rose to GBP 1,694 for those who used catalogues first.
The research also revealed:
• 62 per cent of consumers now shop from home – the highest ever recorded level, representing a 35 per cent growth since 2005
• Online shopping grew by 13 per cent in the last year with 44 per cent of adults now shopping via the web
• 98 per cent of consumers are highly satisfied with online shopping, with convenience being the key driver for 69 per cent, ahead of price, which was singled out by 33 per cent of online shoppers
• 71 per cent of home shoppers and over half (56 per cent) of non home shoppers like to receive catalogues, most preferring to get them through the post
• One in three non home shoppers browse a catalogue for at least one store purchase
• 75 per cent of home shoppers keep catalogues as a reference source for prices, browsing and ideas – and two fifths keep catalogues for over four months
• 85 per cent of home shoppers say that they recycle their catalogues
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