Retail is changing, and fast, as traders get to grips with the demands of shoppers now used to buying however, whenever and wherever they want. In today’s Internet Retailing newsletter we document how change is already happening, and look to the future with predictions of how it is likely to change in future.
We report, for example, on how retail parks are welcoming growing numbers of visitors, bucking a UK trend. Springboard director Diane Wehrle puts this down to the way retailers are responding to demand from omnichannel shoppers, while BRC director general Helen Dickinson says there are early signs that high streets are also starting to adapt in reflection of that changing behaviour, but warns that change may not last.
Figures from the IMRG also contain clues about the way retail is likely to change, with their findings that mobile sales continue to grow faster than online sales. Today we also report on how HMV is taking its in-store experience online, again, in response to customer demand.
We look to the future, finally, by singling out the five ways that retail is set to change in future under the influence of digital shopping.
Smart retailers will navigate the fast changing retail environment by attending Internet Retailing Conference, now in its 15th year. Find out about the event’s exhibition and workshops in today’s preview.
Finally, today’s guest comment comes from Paul Twite of Toluna, who considers what changes the Internet of Things will bring in the future.
Our webinars
We’ll be looking ahead to Black Friday in a webinar to be held with Bronto this September. Kestrel Lemen will be with us to advise retailers and marketers on planning ecommerce marketing plans ahead of the Christmas 2015 shopping season. Black Friday is coming: will you be ready? is on September 15 at 2pm. Visit the Bronto webinar page for more information and to register for the free-to-attend event.
A week later, we’ll be with dotmailer for a webinar considering ways of engaging B2B customers. Skip Fidura, client services director at dotmailer, will be with us to discuss how to use email to market to this group of buyers in The role of multichannel in B2B ecommerce. The webinar is at 2pm on September 22. Visit the dotmailer webinar page to find out more and to register for free.
Click to visit the Internet Retailing webinars page to catch up on any that you may have missed.
The Internet Retailing Awards
The Internet Retailing Retailing Awards will be held on September 24 at the Mandarin Oriental, London. Nominations are now open – click here to nominate your own company or one whose work you admire, and tickets are now available to buy.
The Internet Retailing Conference
This week we have new speakers to unveil for the tenth annual Internet Retailing Conference, to be held in the Novotel Hammersmith, London, hotel on October 14. Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, member of the board and executive director – marketing & International at Marks and Spencer will be a keynote speaker. Also joining the line up are David Lindsay, senior vice president – technology at Farfetch.com and Aaron Chatterley, founder of Feelunique. Find out more about the line-up and about details including how to buy tickets on the Internet Retailing Conference website.
Our research reports
Our research editors research and produce regular reports on pertinent ecommerce issues. The latest, on Conversion Rate Optimisation, comes from Liz Morrell who explains here why this is a must-read report. Click on the links too to download your free copies of the Seasonal Commerce Report and Customer Experience Report.
