Shoppers are shopping online more than they did before the pandemic. But will that continue in times of economic challenge? In today’s InternetRetailing newsletter we’re reporting from the first ChannelX World, where Amazon, eBay and TikTok all had advice for retailers and sellers using their channels to sell in a highly challenging trading environment – and in the run up to peak trading.
We also reports on what the latest multichannel news from Levi’s, River Island, and Boots says about the extent to which shoppers are now willing to buy online. These are the continuing improvements to customer service and to convenience are likely mean shoppers will continue to buy online in the future, despite the downturn.
Boots is expanding its multichannel services through a new delivery partnership with Uber Eats, which is at first being piloted in 14 shops – from London’s Piccadilly to Middlesborough and Northampton. The news comes in the week that its parent company Walgreens Boots Alliance reports fourth-quarter figures showing 11% of sales taking place online at the health and beauty retailer – up from 6% before the pandemic, and reflecting the extent to which its customers are now more prepared to buy online.
River Island this week set out two ways in which it is bringing its technology up to date. The fashion retailer this week announced the roll-out of in-store staff smartphones that can be used as mobile points of sale in its 300 stores. The update comes soon after a move to the cloud that started in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic. Both moves are evidence of how the fashion retailer – a long-term high street business – is now investing in stores and digital as it looks to equip itself for the future.
Levi’s says that 37% of its sales were direct to consumer in the latest quarter of its financial year, while 20% of its sales took place through digital channels. Levi Strauss chief executive Chip Bergh says its latest figures show its strategy is working – as its brands “resonate with customers across geographies, channels and product categories.”
Royal Mail has warned it may cut up to 6,000 jobs by the end of August as it starts consultation on ‘rightsizing’ the business at a time of lower parcel deliveries and industrial action.
In today’s guest comment, Emma Lacey of Zefr has advice for luxury brands considering launching on TikTok
