Content about Electronic commerce

April 22, 2011

About one month after launching a mobile application that syncs customers' loyalty cards to provide access to online accounts, Stop & Shop is forging ahead with new technology, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — About one month after launching a mobile application that syncs customers' loyalty cards to provide access to online accounts, Stop & Shop is forging ahead with new technology, according to published reports.

April 18, 2011

Walmart announced that it has acquired the services of Kosmix, a Mountain View, Calif.-based company to grow its multichannel strategy.

BRISBANE, Calif. — Walmart announced that it has acquired the services of Kosmix, a Mountain View, Calif.-based company, to grow its multichannel strategy.

April 11, 2011

Nearly three-quarters of Americans surveyed by Deloitte said higher prices could slow their spending in the upcoming months.

NEW YORK — Nearly three-quarters of Americans surveyed by Deloitte said higher prices could slow their spending in the upcoming months.

The newest survey of 1,050 consumers found that 74% of consumers believed higher prices could curb their spending, with 7-out-of-10 (71%) concerned about rising energy prices and nearly half (47%) attributing reduced spending to higher medical costs.

March 31, 2011

While fewer consumers are seeking out private-label options this year, preplanning activities continue to be a priority, according to a new survey conducted by SymphonyIRI Group.

MIAMI BEACH — While fewer consumers are seeking out private-label options this year, preplanning activities continue to be a priority, according to a new survey conducted by SymphonyIRI Group.

In SymphonyIRI's inaugural MarketPulse survey, the group found that 2-out-of-3 shoppers today are making shopping lists prior to visiting the store, while 56% are reading store fliers either before or at the store — statistics that are in line with trends noted in 2010.

March 25, 2011

Recognizing and responding to the changing U.S. digital media landscape, Drug Store News is making it even easier for online readers to quickly navigate the latest leading industry news via a newly launched mobile version.

NEW YORK — Recognizing and responding to the changing U.S. digital media landscape, Drug Store News is making it even easier for online readers to quickly navigate the latest leading industry news via a newly launched mobile version.

The new mobile version of the site, m.DrugStoreNews.com, includes such categories as top retailers, supplier news, pharmacy, OTC, beauty, new products and insights. Now when accessing the DSN website via a mobile device, a message will appear giving users the option to access the easy-to-read mobile version.

March 24, 2011

Personalization of the in-store customer experience will be a key objective for retailers over the next two years, according to two new Aberdeen Group reports sponsored by HP.

PALO ALTO, Calif. — Personalization of the in-store customer experience will be a key objective for retailers over the next two years, according to two new Aberdeen Group reports sponsored by HP.

According to the 100 senior retail executives surveyed from such industries as apparel, grocery and department stores, 76% do not possess the technology tools or the business processes for executing Web, catalog or special orders from stores. This challenge is being fueled by rising consumer expectations of rich, multimedia in-store shopping experiences.

March 17, 2011

Rising gas prices will prompt consumers to be more mindful of their spending habits, according to Nielsen projections.

NEW YORK — Rising gas prices will prompt consumers to be more mindful of their spending habits, according to Nielsen projections.

In the United States, Nielsen noted, households could be paying an extra $52.50 with a 50-cent increase in gas prices, $105 with a $1 increase and $210 if prices jump up $2, prompting consumers to tighten their wallets. This will mirror historic trends, which include increased trip compression, more value-conscious shopping alternatives and increased use of coupons, Nielsen said.

March 16, 2011

The National Retail Federation said legislation introduced Tuesday to delay swipe fee reform, which is scheduled to go into effect this summer, would block retailers from giving discounts to consumers who use debit cards and would cost merchants and the public more than $1 billion per month.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation said legislation introduced Tuesday to delay swipe fee reform, which is scheduled to go into effect this summer, would block retailers from giving discounts to consumers who use debit cards and would cost merchants and the public more than $1 billion per month.

March 11, 2011

An online order and same-day pickup service will be expanded to all Walmart stores beginning this month, the company announced.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — An online order and same-day pickup service will be expanded to all Walmart stores beginning this month, the company announced.

The “Pick Up Today” service allows shoppers who make a purchase online to pick up their merchandise within about four hours if the order is placed before 6 p.m. Orders placed after that time are available for pickup the next day before 10 a.m.

March 9, 2011

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday urged Congress to permit the Federal Reserve Board to expedite the implementation of an amendment to the financial-reform legislation.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association on Tuesday urged Congress to permit the Federal Reserve Board to expedite the implementation of an amendment to the financial-reform legislation from Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., that would limit the fees charged to retail merchants on debit card transactions (known as “swipe fees”) to a level that is “reasonable and proportionate” to the costs incurred by the banks and credit card associations to process these transactions.

February 28, 2011

The National Retail Federation last week responded to the Federal Reserve's proposal to cap debit card swipe fees at 12 cents per transaction.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation last week responded to the Federal Reserve's proposal to cap debit card swipe fees at 12 cents per transaction.

February 24, 2011

Greeting card enthusiasts that want to know what's new in the card aisles before hitting the stores now can see the latest innovations online, thanks to a new page on American Greetings' website.

CLEVELAND — Greeting card enthusiasts that want to know what's new in the card aisles before hitting the stores now can see the latest innovations online, thanks to a new page on American Greetings' website.

AmericanGreetings.com's new page now features the latest product introductions, a special downloadable coupon and a store locator so consumers instantly can find retailers in their area.

February 15, 2011

Aisle411, a mobile retail navigation service that helps shoppers locate products down to the shelf location, on Tuesday announced its service now is live in more than 1,000 stores. The service added three markets: Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego.

ST. LOUIS — Aisle411, a mobile retail navigation service that helps shoppers locate products down to the shelf location, on Tuesday announced its service now is live in more than 1,000 stores. The service added three markets: Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Other markets identified for expansion included Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Houston; Minneapolis; New York; Phoenix; Sacramento, Calif.; Seattle and Washington, D.C.

February 14, 2011

The former president and CEO of eBay has returned to Procter & Gamble's board of directors, effective immediately.

CINCINNATI — The former president and CEO of eBay has returned to Procter & Gamble's board of directors, effective immediately.

Meg Whitman, who worked as a brand assistant for P&G after graduating from Harvard Business School, served on P&G's board from 2003 to 2008. During her career, Whitman served as president and CEO of eBay from 1998 until 2008. Whitman also ran for governor of California in the 2010 elections.

January 20, 2011

A new quarterly index developed by eBillme found that 19% of shoppers will spend more on Valentine's Day this year.

RYE BROOK, N.Y. — A new quarterly index developed by eBillme found that 19% of shoppers will spend more on Valentine's Day this year.

The index polled 1,200 consumers to measure projected online spending for the quarter and the influencing factors, eBillme said. Of the consumers polled, the index revealed, 32% of shoppers will purchase Valentine's Day gifts online.

This quarter, respondents also were asked what they planned to purchase for Valentine's Day. Findings included:

January 20, 2011

Retailers are ready to expand again, and likely will do so as the economy picks up, according to a new survey conducted by the charitable arm of the National Retail Federation and KPMG.

WASHINGTON — Retailers are ready to expand again, and likely will do so as the economy picks up, according to a new survey conducted by the charitable arm of the National Retail Federation and KPMG.

January 10, 2011

CalmSea on Sunday announced the release of its new social commerce optimization solution, which leverages CalmSea’s predictive commerce platform with Facebook APIs to provide retailers the ability to engage, grow and monetize their Facebook fan base.

SAN MATEO, Calif. — CalmSea on Sunday announced the release of its new social commerce optimization solution, which leverages CalmSea’s predictive commerce platform with Facebook APIs to provide retailers the ability to engage, grow and monetize their Facebook fan base.

With CalmSea’s program, retailers are better able to understand their customers’ preferences and deliver targeted promotions — such as private sales, group-buys, sweepstakes, contests and more.

December 27, 2010

The IRS issued new guidance Dec. 23 that enables consumers to continue to use flexible spending and health reimbursement account debit cards to purchase prescribed OTC products.

WASHINGTON — Though most might associate the Internal Revenue Service with the Grinch, the IRS came through with a last-minute Christmas present for retailers stung by changes in the tax code related to consumers’ use of flexible spending and health reimbursement accounts to purchase approved OTC products.

December 27, 2010

Between Oct. 31 and Dec. 24, consumers spent more than $36.4 billion online — a 15.4% increase over 2009, according to SpendingPulse estimates.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse, a macroeconomic report tracking national retail and services sales, announced results for e-commerce sales for the 2010 holiday shopping season. During the period ranging from Oct. 31 to Dec. 24, consumers spent $36.4 billion online, a 15.4% increase compared with the same period in 2009, according to SpendingPulse estimates.

December 20, 2010

Competitive everyday-low-pricing strategies and lowest-price guarantees soon may become standard as use of mobile smart phones while shopping grows, according to a new GfK Roper poll, commissioned by SapientNitro, an integrated marketing and technology services firm.

BOSTON — Competitive everyday-low-pricing strategies and lowest-price guarantees soon may become standard as use of mobile smart phones while shopping grows, according to a new GfK Roper poll, commissioned by SapientNitro, an integrated marketing and technology services firm.

Another key learning from the survey: The shopping experience is paramount.

December 10, 2010

An annual holiday shopping index found that an overwhelming majority of Americans said that while online shopping for holiday gifts is easier, brick-and-mortar stores do a better job of putting them in the holiday spirit.

NEW YORK — An annual holiday shopping index found that an overwhelming majority of Americans said that while online shopping for holiday gifts is easier, brick-and-mortar stores do a better job of putting them in the holiday spirit.

December 6, 2010

Consumers see smart phones as future personal, coupon-clipping shopper assistants, a global survey released Monday by Accenture found.

NEW YORK — Consumers see smart phones as future personal, coupon-clipping shopper assistants, a global survey released Monday by Accenture found. According to the survey, 79% of smart-phone users would find it useful to download money-off coupons to their phones, and 73% of those shoppers would be receptive to being pinged with instant money-off coupons as they passed by an item in a store.

November 21, 2010

Mobile shoppers will account for nearly one-third of the money spent this holiday season by...

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. Mobile shoppers will account for nearly one-third of the money spent this holiday season by U.S. consumers, according to IDC Retail Insights.

November 17, 2010

A coalition of six associations, including the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the National Association...

WASHINGTON — A coalition of six associations, including the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, on Thursday called on Congress to repeal the requirement that prevents consumers from using their flexible spending accounts to purchase over-the-counter medicines without a prescription as of Jan. 1.

 

November 14, 2010

A panel of healthcare thought leaders has concluded that a recent IRS rule change going...

WASHINGTON — A panel of healthcare thought leaders has concluded that a recent IRS rule change going into effect Jan. 14, 2011, will demand retail system challenges that are operationally impossible to overcome in the limited time frame required.

And the National Association of Chain Drug Stores couldn’t agree more.