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E-Commerce

Internet TV Co. Launches Click-Through Trial

Backchannelmedia, an internet-TV tech and service company, is testing a new system that lets television viewers use their remote to “remember” the URL of brands featured on TV, writes Internet Retailer.

When an advertisement - or news content - comes on the screen, a small icon appears that prompts the viewer to users to bookmark the offer or related content and store the link on the company’s...
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Online Consumers to Spend Less in Stores, Slightly More Online, for Holidays

Online consumers intend to spend less in stores during this holiday season than last, but slightly more online - where they expect free shipping and deals not available in stores, according to The Consumer Internet Barometer from The Conference Board and TNS.

Bargain hunting will remain the driving force behind online sales, notes the quarterly report, which surveys 10,000 households across the...
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Holiday Shoppers Continue Shift to Online; Cite Convenience, Price

Consumers will continue to shift their gift buying online this holiday season, citing convenience, time constraints, and price among the primary reasons for shopping on the web, according to (pdf) a Nielsen Online pre-holiday survey.

With the current economic downturn, there is an increased focus on price this year, with 53% of consumers citing price as a reason to buy online, compared with 46%...
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Retail E-Commerce Outpaces Total Retail in Q3

US retail e-commerce sales for the third quarter of 2008, adjusted for seasonal variation but not for price changes, totaled an estimated $34.4 billion, an increase of 0.3% (±1.3%) from the second quarter, the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced.

Total retail sales for the third quarter were estimated at $1,018.8 billion, a decrease of 1.4% (±0.2%) from the second quarter of...
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JCPenney Deserts Australian Web Operations

JCPenney is shutting down the e-commerce website it launched in September for Australian customers, reports Inside Retailing.

To legally terminate the agreement, JCPenney is using an “out clause” that is part of the original contract, explained Sharon Hooker, operations manager of JPIC Australia, the company managing the site under an exclusive license arrangement.

“We have to close our doors,...
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US Retail E-Commerce Growth Slows to 1% in Oct. - Least-Ever Growth

Online retail spending in October 2008 grew only 1% over October 2007, according to comScore’s monthly retail e-commerce sales estimates; that’s the lowest monthly growth rate since comScore began tracking e-commerce in 2001.

The overall softness in online retail spending was precipitated by curtailed spending across mid- to lower-income segments, with households earning less than $50,000...
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Consumers Embracing Online and ‘Green’ Shopping This Holiday Season

Online retailing will continue to grow this holiday season, with a record 71% of consumers spending at least part of their holiday budgets via the internet, according to Deloitte’s 23rd Annual Holiday Survey of retail spending and trends.

That figure is up 5 percentage points from 2004.

The online channel ranked No. 2 this year for holiday gift-shopping, behind only discount department...
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Consumers Open to Shopping via Social Networks

Nearly one-third (30%) of online consumers say special sales and exclusive products would make them consider shopping on social networks, and 27% say viewing comments about items for sale would similarly encourage them, according to a survey from Volusion, conducted by Harris Interactive.

Consumers are increasingly looking to social networks for advice and recommendations about online purchases...
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UK Web Shoppers Get Duty-Free Benefits

As of December 1st, shoppers that live within the United Kingdom will not have to pay customs duty on items purchased for less than £105 from sites based outside the European Union, writes MarketingVOX. Previously, the duty-free limit for goods bought online was £18.

“Whether you are looking to get your hands on the latest computer game, designer clothes or DVDs, it is important to be aware...
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USPS in Dire Straits, Raises Shipping Prices Early

Retailers who use USPS for shipping services will see a price hike earlier than expected next year, reports MultiChannel Merchant.

The agency is rising its prices on Jan. 18, 2009, as opposed to the usual May date - the first time ever it has changed the schedule. The move will put USPS on the same pricing schedule as its major parcel carrier competitors.

Prices on shipping services will go up...
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