In today’s InternetRetailing newsletter, we have news of some of the biggest beasts in the UK ecommerce and multichannel jungle. It’s clear from today’s reports, that growing ecommerce sales is only ever part of the retail solution; it’s also important to do so profitably and as part of a responsive retail organisation that recognises the needs and aspirations of its customers.
Today we report on Amazon, as its losses widen following investment to make it easier for customers to buy; on Tesco, where rising online sales were one of the only positives to come out of half-year results this week; and on Debenhams, where real improvements have been made to online and multichannel retailing, but where the need to make profitable sales remain a key focus.
We also have news of Argos, which is building ever further on its digital leadership transformation, and of Homebase, now in search of a new managing director, and we report on the launch of Rakuten.co.uk, set to replace Play.com. Online sales were up by 10.1% in September, according to the ONS, while today’s guest comment comes from Hungryhouse.co.uk, whose marketing director Alice Mrongovious takes a very interesting stance on voucher affiliate sites.
Our webinars
We have two upcoming webinars to let you know about today. On November 5, Lili Boev, group account manager at dotmailer will outline best practice for retailers and online sellers planning their email campaigns ahead of the holiday shopping season. The session, Countdown to Christmas, will be at 2pm and is free to attend. Find out more and register here.
Then on November 11, Ashley Workman, web development manager at Waitrose, David Kohn, multichannel director at Snow+Rock and Gary Ingram, managing director at The Diamond Store, will join SLI Systems chief executive Shaun Ryan to consider what 2015 will bring for multichannel retailers. Multichannel predictions and priorities for 2015… and beyond takes place at 11.30am, and is free to attend. Find out more and register here.
Click to visit the Internet Retailing webinars page to find out about any upcoming webinars and to catch up on any that you may have missed.
