Content about e - commerce

October 2, 2012
Family matters

I was fortunate. I was born into a wonderful family. Each of my four siblings and I have certainly chosen individual paths, but it is amazing how interconnected we remain and how we can still rely on each other when necessary.

I was fortunate. I was born into a wonderful family. Each of my four siblings and I have certainly chosen individual paths, but it is amazing how interconnected we remain and how we can still rely on each other when necessary.

Recent events certainly demonstrated how vital family can be. Several weeks ago, as a result of a massive stroke, my father passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife of 60-plus years and his five children. It was during the days leading up to and following Dad’s death that I realized more than ever that family matters.

September 28, 2012
Walgreens all systems go for 2013; reports 4Q, annual sales

Fiscal 2012 is now in Walgreens' rearview mirror as the company looks ahead toward 2013 with its foot on the accelerator

 DEERFIELD, Ill. — Fiscal 2012 now is in Walgreens' rearview mirror as the company looks ahead toward 2013 with its foot on the accelerator. A re-entry into the Express Scripts pharmacy provider network, a new loyalty card and synergies borne out of the Alliance Boots partnership will all help fuel Walgreens' health-and-wellness engine. 

Walgreens stock was up slightly within the half-hour of the call to approximately $36.70 per share. WAG had closed Thursday at $36.52 and opened Friday morning at $36.27. 

September 27, 2012
New e-commerce site dedicated to eco-friendly products

The company behind Soap.com has debuted an online shopping destination for natural, organic and sustainable products.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The company behind Soap.com has debuted an online shopping destination for natural, organic and sustainable products.

September 25, 2012
The ‘what, where and when’ of e-commerce

What product she wants. Where she wants the product. When she wants the product. Delivering on those promises is what multichannel retailing means to Walgreens. “We believe consumers want choice,” noted Sona Chawla, Walgreens’ president of e-commerce. “People will shop online one day, [and] they’ll shop the store the next day; it depends upon events and what they’re looking for.” 


What product she wants. Where she wants the product. When she wants the product. Delivering on those promises is what multichannel retailing means to Walgreens. “We believe consumers want choice,” noted Sona Chawla, Walgreens’ president of e-commerce. “People will shop online one day, [and] they’ll shop the store the next day; it depends upon events and what they’re looking for.” 


And it’s through that customer engagement that Walgreens has perhaps most visibly transformed its relationship with its consumer base. 


September 12, 2012
Survey: Retailers focusing on mobile site optimization and in-store technologies

Retailers remain conservative when it comes to financial investments in mobile and tablet initiatives despite the industry buzz, according to a survey by Shop.org and Forrester Research.

DENVER, Colo. — Retailers remain conservative when it comes to financial investments in mobile and tablet initiatives despite the industry buzz, according to a survey by Shop.org and Forrester Research.

September 7, 2012
Lessons from mobile gaming applied to CPG brand engagement

User engagement is critical to driving brand loyalty. Mobile gaming can offer a unique perspective on how consumer packaged goods firms can engage their consumers.

User engagement is critical to driving brand loyalty. Mobile gaming can offer a unique perspective on how consumer packaged goods firms can engage their consumers.

August 24, 2012
Shopping in Olympic proportion

This year’s Olympics coverage on NBC stood in stark contrast to the television network's failed attempt to offer expanded audience choice through their pay-per-view “Triplecast” in 1992. Remember that 20 years ago, NBC aired the Olympics through three pay-per-view channels? Their total number of subscribers, either for a one-day pass or any of the “gold,” “silver” or “bronze” packages probably couldn’t equal even the smallest service area for a major cable company.

This year’s Olympics coverage on NBC stood in stark contrast to the television network's failed attempt to offer expanded audience choice through their pay-per-view “Triplecast” in 1992. Remember that 20 years ago, NBC aired the Olympics through three pay-per-view channels? Their total number of subscribers, either for a one-day pass or any of the “gold,” “silver” or “bronze” packages probably couldn’t equal even the smallest service area for a major cable company.

August 21, 2012
Study: Discounts as low as 2.5% sway shoppers to leave stores, purchase online

Forty-five percent of customers shopping in-store at brick-and mortar-locations will walk out and complete their purchase online for a discount as low as 2.5%, according to new showrooming research from GroupM Next.

ST. LOUIS — Forty-five percent of customers shopping in-store at brick-and mortar-locations will walk out and complete their purchase online for a discount as low as 2.5%, according to new showrooming research from GroupM Next.

This number jumps to 60% of shoppers who will leave and purchase a product online for a savings of 5%. When discovering an online discount of 20%, a small percentage of shoppers (13%) stay and complete their purchase in store.

August 13, 2012
ComScore: Online spending up 15% in Q2

U.S. online retail spending reached $43.2 billion for the second quarter, up 15% over a year ago, according to ComScore.

RESTON, Va. — U.S. online retail spending reached $43.2 billion for the second quarter, up 15% over a year ago, according to ComScore.

It was the eleventh consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.

August 6, 2012
Vitamin Shoppe appoints e-commerce VP

The Vitamin Shoppe announced that Stephen Bontempo has joined the company.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe announced that Stephen Bontempo has joined the company.

Bontempo, who previously served as SVP e-commerce and catalog for Fanatics Inc./GSI Commerce, has become VP e-commerce for the Vitamin Shoppe. He will report to chief marketing officer Lou Weiss.

"Having someone of Stephen's caliber is another way we continue to strengthen the leadership team," Vitamin Shoppe CEO Tony Truesdale said. "We're pleased to have him join The Vitamin Shoppe family."

August 2, 2012
Walgreens' Chawla named to apparel retailer's board

Walgreens' e-commerce president Sona Chawla has been appointed to serve on the board of directors at specialty retail apparel chain Express.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Walgreens' e-commerce president Sona Chawla has been appointed to serve on the board of directors at specialty retail apparel chain Express.

Chawla, who will serve as a class-3 director and brings the number of directors on Express' board to seven, also will serve on the Express' compensation and governance committee. Chawla has lead Walgreens' e-commerce business since January 2011. Prior to her role at Walgreens, she served in roles at Dell and Wells Fargo.

July 10, 2012
Walgreens opens smartphone photo software code to third-party developers

Walgreens on Tuesday extended its innovation in mobile technology with the introduction of a developer portal that allows third-party software developers to integrate the Walgreens QuickPrints software development kit, enabling photo printing directly from iPhone and Android mobile devices.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday extended its innovation in mobile technology with the introduction of a developer portal that allows third-party software developers to integrate the Walgreens QuickPrints software development kit, enabling photo printing directly from iPhone and Android mobile devices.

July 5, 2012
Buyer Be(where)

Remember when retail transactions were completed based only on the assortment found within the confines of a brick-and-mortar store? Truth is, we may never return to those days.

Remember when retail transactions were completed based only on the assortment found within the confines of a brick-and-mortar store? Truth is, we may never return to those days.

I’ve heard arguments that as a result of retail choices, formats and virtual storefronts, consumers will no longer establish relationships with retailers. As a result, loyalty will be lost.

Honestly, I disagree. Multi-channel retailing not only has the potential to enhance the shopping experience, but also the ability to strengthen relationships with patrons.

June 27, 2012
CVS Caremark names new CIO

CVS Caremark has announced the appointment of Stephen Gold as CIO.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark has announced the appointment of Stephen Gold as CIO. 

Gold, who joins CVS Caremark on July 9, will focus on bringing new and differentiating technology solutions to the company's retail and pharmacy benefit management businesses.

June 21, 2012
Study: Beauty cos. must tackle online ‘beast’

With more than half of U.S. online shoppers buying beauty and personal care products online, beauty brands and retailers must embrace multichannel marketing in order to succeed and reach consumers where they are, according to a new study by A.T. Kearney and its Global Consumer Institute.


With more than half of U.S. online shoppers buying beauty and personal care products online, beauty brands and retailers must embrace multichannel marketing in order to succeed and reach consumers where they are, according to a new study by A.T. Kearney and its Global Consumer Institute.


The study, dubbed “Beauty and the Beast,” examined the shopping behaviors of consumers and the implications of retailers and beauty brands. The findings are based on survey responses from 1,381 participants across 50 U.S. states and Canada.


June 4, 2012
Murray appointed chief product officer at Catalina

Catalina Marketing has appointed its first-ever chief product officer.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Catalina Marketing has appointed its first-ever chief product officer.

May 31, 2012
Navarro Discount Pharmacy launches Spanish-language site

Hispanic-owned pharmacy chain Navarro Discount Pharmacy has added a Spanish-language version to its website at Navarro.com.

MIAMI — Hispanic-owned pharmacy chain Navarro Discount Pharmacy has added a Spanish-language version to its website at Navarro.com.

May 29, 2012
GNC, Discovery partners on get-fit 'Transformation Diaries' Web series

GNC last week partnered with Discovery Fit & Health on "Transformation Diaries," a custom Web series that follows four women working to achieve their personal "live well" goals. Fitness expert JJ Virgin is serving as the women’s mentor.

PITTSBURGH — GNC last week partnered with Discovery Fit & Health on "Transformation Diaries," a custom Web series that follows four women working to achieve their personal "live well" goals. Fitness expert JJ Virgin is serving as the women’s mentor.

May 18, 2012
CVS/pharmacy enters largely unchartered waters in retail with Spanish-language site

The launch of CVS/pharmacy’s Spanish-language website is especially important when you consider the fact that the company is attempting to do something that only one other retailer has been able to do. Yep, one.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The launch of CVS/pharmacy’s Spanish-language website is especially important when you consider the fact that the company is attempting to do something that only one other retailer has been able to do. Yep, one.

(THE NEWS: CVS/pharmacy launches Spanish-language website. For the full story, click here)

May 10, 2012
ComScore: Q1 online retail spending rose 17%

ComScore reported that online retail spending reached $44.3 billion for first quarter 2012, up 17% from the year-ago period.

RESTON, Va. — ComScore reported that online retail spending reached $44.3 billion for first quarter 2012, up 17% from the year-ago period.

ComScore said retail e-commerce sale estimates represented the tenth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. Additional findings included:

  • 48.8% of e-commerce transactions included free shipping, the highest percentage for a quarter on record outside of the holiday season;

April 27, 2012
Albertsons LLC creates social and digital marketing team

Albertsons LLC is sharpening its focus on social media and digital marketing with the creation of a new social and digital marketing team that will be led by technology and social marketing expert Karl Meinhardt.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons LLC is sharpening its focus on social media and digital marketing with the creation of a new social and digital marketing team that will be led by technology and social marketing expert Karl Meinhardt.

April 27, 2012
Former Drugstore.com CEO heads to Groupon

Groupon on Friday named Kal Raman to the role of SVP Americas.

CHICAGO — Groupon on Friday named Kal Raman to the role of SVP Americas.

Raman will oversee the company’s operations across 10 countries in North, Latin and South Americas and will be based in Groupon’s corporate headquarters in Chicago.

March 21, 2012
CVS/pharmacy to close all Beauty360 locations

CVS/pharmacy is shuttering all of its Beauty360 locations and ceasing operation of the Beauty360 e-commerce business to focus on the growth of its core CVS/pharmacy beauty business, the retailer confirmed on Wednesday.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy is shuttering all of its Beauty360 locations and ceasing operation of the Beauty360 e-commerce business to focus on the growth of its core CVS/pharmacy beauty business, the retailer confirmed on Wednesday.

As of May 19, all 25 of the Beauty360 locations will close and the e-commerce business will cease operation.

March 20, 2012
Walgreens launches health-and-wellness database from its Facebook page

Walgreens on Tuesday partnered with the online platform Sharecare on the launch of a new "Answers" application, which provides access to a comprehensive and searchable drug, supplement and wellness database on Facebook.

ATLANTA — Walgreens on Tuesday partnered with the online platform Sharecare on the launch of a new "Answers" application, which provides access to a comprehensive and searchable drug, supplement and wellness database on Facebook.

The application, which is integrated into Walgreens' Facebook page, gives Walgreens nearly 2 million followers convenient access to an interactive portal containing health information and resources.

March 9, 2012
Reaching Hispanic consumers via mobile marketing

From 2000 to 2010, the U.S. Hispanic population surged 43%, far surpassing U.S. Census estimates. With a growth rate more than four times that of the entire country, and an expected 2015 purchasing power well in excess of $1.25 trillion, the U.S. Hispanic population is a key market segment for retailers and consumer packaged goods companies seeking to expand their domestic customer base. The most successful companies will be those that can effectively engage these consumers and develop enduring brand loyalty.

From 2000 to 2010, the U.S. Hispanic population surged 43%, far surpassing U.S. Census estimates.  With a growth rate more than four times that of the entire country, and an expected 2015 purchasing power well in excess of $1.25 trillion, the U.S. Hispanic population is a key market segment for retailers and consumer packaged goods companies seeking to expand their domestic customer base. The most successful companies will be those that can effectively engage these consumers and develop enduring brand loyalty.