I attended the inaugural Internet Retailing Expo event this week with half my attention devoted to spotting new business opportunities and the other half as a delegate, listening to see what is moving and shaking in UK e-commerce.
When it comes to collaboration between retailers and brands, uneasy tension has been the status quo. For example, the fight for shelf space between retailer’s private-label brands and CPG branded products brings out such thoughts as “co-opetition.”
Just like the popular children’s gamebook series from the 1980’s “Choose Your Own Adventure,” the world of QR marketing offers many paths to choose from, and is fraught with both landmines and opportunities.
The virtual goods market is expected to exceed $2 billion this year. Are you ready to make the most of this hot e-commerce trend?
In the late 90’s, a feisty startup called Digital Convergence Corporation rolled into market, delivering free barcode scanners to subscribers of Forbes, Wired and Parade. These scanners, called CueCats, were kitty-shaped (no, really – shaped like a cat – so, CueCat – get it?) devices that plugged into a computer.
With the proliferation of data and access to consumer information, marketers have gained increased insight into their core customers. The Social Analytics industry has grown by over a dozen companies in the last 12-18 months and we’re already seeing how access to richer data is empowering advertisers to do things they’ve never done before.
I’ve had the immense privilege and pleasure of spending a good part of my year with the one and only Paco Underhill, as we met with hundreds of merchants and brands nationwide to share perspectives on the challenges and opportunities with cross-channel retailing.
Greetings from across the pond! I’ve just spent the past week in London, where I had the opportunity to meet with a host of retailers — both pure play and multi-channel—to discuss a crucial issue: managing the expectations of today’s empowered consumer.