Retailers from a wide range of sectors are retooling as they find new ways to reach customers – at a time when many are reporting falling demand.
Poundland reports that it’s seeing some UK customers stop buying even essential items, while DFS says it’s gone from working at record levels to seeing a downturn in the number of orders it is taking as the cost-of-living crisis hits home.
Poundland is now hiring as it looks to reach customers across the country online, building on its March acquisition of Poundshop.com.
Other retailers too are launching new channels to reach existing and new customers. Studio Retail is teaming up with Ideal World TV to launch shoppable content across social media channels, while car manufacturer Renault is buying UK start-up Fixture – and its digital car maintenance platform – as it looks to digitise the after-sales experience.
Meanwhile electricals retailer AO is to close its German website, following an operational review, and will focus on its UK business instead. The retailer says that while customers in the market have now reverted to their pre-pandemic shopping habits, the costs of selling online have risen.
In today’s guest comment, Louisa Jones of Scibids considers how AI can help ecommerce brands boost conversion.
