HMV has unveiled HMV Digital, marking its first step into the music download market. The move is part of an HMV Group strategy to diversify the business into digital.

Retailers can now find out how their customer service measures up to competitors using a new programme launched by IMRG.

Sunday July 25 was forecast to be the busiest day of the summer sales online, according to shopping marketplace Kelkoo UK. It was expected to be the day that internet sale hunters went in search of real bargains, bringing a peak to a sale season forecast to see some £1.3bn spent online.

Online shoppers at London suits and shirts retailer Hawes & Curtis will be the first in the world to test new technology that uses biorobotics to recreate the fitting room experience online.

Mothercare and Early Learning Centre are to have a social media strategy aimed at engaging with online mothers, in a recognition, says Mothercare’s direct marketing chief, that ‘reputations are being shaped online.’

Neglect email and post in favour of social media at your peril, says a new Econsultancy report, for all are essential parts of e-commerce marketing.

Stationer Ryman says it is already seeing performance benefits from its redesigned website. The site is described as the first step towards creating ‘one of the most sophisticated multichannel solutions in the market.’

Sports Direct says 4.5% of its UK sales are now online, up from 1.5% last year. The company is now looking to grow its internet business still further.

Ocado has finally floated on the London Stock Exchange, though as yet it is failing to thrill investors. Shares have lost 10% of their value since launch.

Sales rose by 20% in June, say today’s IMRG figures, taking total internet sales to a record high for the month and building on strong growth in May.

Social media is fast becoming the place that UK internet users have in common. New figures from comScore show just how fast that trend is moving.

How can retailers use product recommendations to improve profitability? Darren Vengroff, chief scientist at Rich Relevance, has some answers.

William Hill says net revenue in its online division grew by almost a quarter in the first half of the year. The World Cup was a strong performer, but in horseracing it saw its worst-ever Royal Ascot.

Shoppers are getting serious about their budgets following the Emergency Budget, new research from Shoppercentric suggests. But catering for a mood of prudence could be the way forward for retailers, both online and in the high street.

Pixazza, the technology company that links internet images to product information, allowing customers to click straight through from any image and make a purchase, has raised almost £8m in second-round funding.

eBay UK is proving a focus point for online entrepreneurs, with almost a fifth more businesses registering since the start of recession. Internet Retailing spoke to Laure Reillier, head of eBay seller proposition, to find out more.

A third of customers would spend more online if they were offered better customer advice, a new survey suggests. But the challenge is to do that without losing the price advantage.

The online retailers who have fared best during the recession are those who have good relationships with their customers, says Amanda Squires, client services director at Pod 1, who discusses how retailers can improve their CRM.

Mothercare announced a double-digit sales boost for its online channel at its AGM. At the same time it unveiled the purchase of the Blooming Marvellous brand and trademarks.

Fashion retailer Asos unveiled a 111% rise in international sales in the first quarter of its financial year. The rise means that overseas customers now contribute 37% of the company’s takings.