In today’s InternetRetailing newsletter we’re reporting as Amazon is now well into the second day of its Prime Day members-only deal event. To me, the noise from this event seems quieter than in previous years since it doesn’t seem to be sparking widespread deals beyond its own site to the same extent as previously.
That could be a result of factors including the shortage of UK HGV drivers that threatens to have knock-on effects on home deliveries and shortages in supermarkets. The shortage has been linked both to Covid-19, which delayed driver training and tests, and to the effect of Brexit in discouraging European drivers from working in the UK. Tesco has said that it is working to address its own shortages.
Gear4music, which has full-year figures out today, shows that its sales and profits both rose over a challenging period. Covid-19 lockdowns proved both tough and profitable, while the retailer says its ongoing work to adapt to Brexit will include a new Dublin distribution centre, from which it will supply both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
On the other hand, there’s one note of post-Brexit reassurance as the EU signals it will accept UK adequacy in regards to data.
Meanwhile, new research suggests that shoppers are now willing to spend both time and more money on ensuring the goods they buy are from sustainable and ethical supply chains. A study from supercharged commerce suggests that millennials are now spending an average of 32 minutes a week researching the implications of their purchases – while 33% of respondents said they had paid more for sustainable goods.
Staying on that theme, in today’s guest comment, Jake Athey at Widen considers the importance of building sustainability into customer engagement.
