Investment is a theme that runs throughout today’s Internet Retailing newsletter. First, we report on a study that finds online tops retailer investment priorities for 2014, even if 75% of the retailers questioned in the study found most would rather have stores than websites, if they had to choose. Online, the study found, was also important for companies moving into new markets.
Perran Jarvis, head of retail at TLT, the law firm that commissioned the research, brought the two Views together in this statement: “Stores help build brands that drive online growth… The brand power of a London store can help to drive growth in Asian markets.” A useful insight, then, into how House of Fraser’s UK presence could help drive ecommerce expansion into China, a theme we analyse in our piece on Chinese conglomerate Sanpower’s acquisition of the department store chain.
We also have news of investment from a variety of multichannel companies. Asda, currently investing £1bn in a five-year strategy to extend its UK reach both online and in stores, this week announced the potential creation of 12,000 new jobs to do just that.
Meanwhile, Achica has invested in a new chief executive as it looks to international expansion, and JD Williams has invested in front-end optimisation, which has cut significant seconds off its page load times. Finally, we report on eBay’s Export Week move to persuade some of its sellers to go international. Click to read more on our current research and events, including our third annual Internet Retailing Awards, for which nominations are now open.
Our research
We’re currently looking at the use of ecommerce techniques in the B2B sector. Take part in our survey to contribute to a research briefing that will be published later this spring.
Our awards
Nominations are now open for the 2014 Internet Retailing Awards. Last year the winners of these multichannel and ecommerce industry awards included Tesco, Burberry, Asos, Lakeland, eBay, Amazon, Oasis/Warehouse and LoveHoney, who celebrated their wins at a roof top party in the middle of the City. Who will take this year’s titles? This year’s awards will be announced at an exclusive event at One Mayfair on Thursday June 26. There’s also plenty of time to snap up a discounted early bird ticket to the event – though be warned, the opportunity expires at midnight on Thursday May 1.
Catch-up on IRC 2013
If you missed an Internet Retailing Conference 2013 presentation that you’d like to catch up on, you can do so now through the post-event website. Visitors to www.internetretailingconference.com can access all the presentations that we’ve been given permission to share with our audiences.
