Retail IT News for VARs — June 6, 2014
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In the news, a report shows one-third of online retail sales come from smartphones and tablets. Also, the U.S. Census Bureau has released data showing 27 percent growth in online retail establishments, and Google Analytics has added a new e-commerce reporting tool.
Smartphones And Tablets Account For More Than One-Third Of Online Retail Sales
The latest benchmarking report from IMRG and Capgemini shows that the proportion of retail purchases made on a mobile phone or tablet rose to 34 percent in Q1 2014 — from 20 percent in the same period last year. Visits to e-retail websites via mobile devices are also increasing, with 48 percent now coming via smartphone and tablet devices.
Census Bureau Releases New Data: Web-Based Business Up 27%
Newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which contains an interactive map feature, demonstrates that online shopping establishments were up 27.4 percent between 2007 and 2012, the number of electronic shopping and mail-order houses establishments grew from 23,697 to 30,185 in that time period, and employment climbed 13.7 percent to 365,508. According to the bureau, however, the retail trade sector as a whole (including brick and mortars) only rose 0.1 percent, with employment climbing 0.7 percent.
Google Analytics Adds More E-Commerce Data And Reporting Tools
Google has announced the release of Enhanced Ecommerce, a Google Analytics reporting tool designed specifically for retailers that is making it easier for e-retailers to collect more granular data about how consumers behave on their sites and to generate reports about that behavior, according to Econsultancy.
Exec Urges Businesses to Optimize Mobile Experiences with Beacons
During a “How Beacons Tie in with a Retailer’s Larger Location Marketing Strategy” webinar, panelists from several different companies discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by beacon technology in relation to consumer acceptance, as this article from Mobile Commerce Daily discusses. One executive said that since 90 percent of all commerce occurs in-store, businesses need to prioritize mobile in order to deliver optimized mobile experiences using technologies like beacons.
Retail IT Talking Points
In a press release, Target Corp. announced the formation a Digital Advisory Council, as part of its efforts to accelerate its digital transformation. The purpose of the panel of technology industry leaders is to help guide Target’s Omni channel strategies and optimize innovation, and to discover new ways to leverage technology to enhance the guest experience — both online and in stores.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Retail IT Tech Center.