France is taking measures to support independent bookstores and less popular book titles. In a unanimous decision on January 8, the French Senate approved a bill that limits online discounts to five percent of the book price, and permits free shipping only if the total amount saved does not cross the five percent threshold, Bloomberg Businessweek reported. Consequently, online giants like Amazon.com will lose part of their advantage when competing with smaller businesses.

The French book market is the second largest in Europe and the fifth-largest worldwide, Internet Retailer noted. While independent store operations accounted for more sales than ecommerce, the source reported, they were down 28.5 percent since 2003. 

Overall, 5.3 percent of France's purchases happen online, which makes it the third leading European country in terms of ecommerce. However, even though high street retail has suffered under the financial crisis and a disappointing holiday season, the French bill does not necessarily indicate a trend in the European retail industry to discourage online shopping. Rather, France has a history of treating book sales with special attention. Since 1981, France has singled out books as a "cultural exception," worthy of separate pricing rules, Bloomberg noted. The new law aims to make sure all books are held to the same guidelines, regardless of the purchasing channel.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, January 10th, 2014 at 5:51 am .

Mobile users are on the rise in Latin America, and it's having a big impact on retail customer trends. According to a GSMA report, half of the continent's population has signed up for mobile services, including 80 percent of developed populations. Brazil, a market leader among Latin American countries, has experienced astounding surge in ecommerce — with an anticipated growth rate of 23.03 percent through 2017, Canadean found in its 2013 Consumer Attitudes and Online Retail Dynamics in Brazil report. Because Brazil's online sales have continued to climb despite a slowing economy in general, Forrester anticipates a more ecommerce even in Latin American countries with less developed markets.

Despite the diversity of the region, analysts expect to see a few general trends:

• Mobile users will continue to increase, which will lead to more ecommerce. GSMA classified most Latin American countries as "fast growers" for mobile development. While in Brazil the mobile demographic is dominated by the middle class, retailers in Mexico and Argentina need to market to lower-middle class as well.
• Social networks are fueling online sales. Forrester reported that Latin Americans are highly engaged with social media, particularly with branding through these networks and branded apps. Consequently, retail marketing should embrace social platforms.
• Applications and interconnectivity are on the horizon. The next phase in mobile development includes more applications and greater connectivity between devices, according to GSMA. Businesses may see these advancements in retail technology as well.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, January 9th, 2014 at 11:41 am .

Although ecommerce has dominated the news recently, brick-and-mortar locations can play a substantial role in consumer conversion and loyalty. According to a report by KPMG, novel uses of new retail technology are giving physical store locations a fresh purpose and potential. In fact, Chris Malone, a managing partner of Fidelum Partners, wrote in Forbes magazine that retail store experiences are critical for ecommerce success. Even without an ecommerce component, brick-and-mortar venues can stand out with some creative thinking and smart use of technology. 

Play up your strengths
An enormous benefit of the physical storefront is the face-to-face interactions between consumers and employees. Humans are driven by relationships, and a positive store experience augmented by friendly, helpful staff will capture customer loyalty, according to KPMG. Businesses with knowledgeable, well-trained staff also earn the respect of customers as industry experts.

Provide in-store perks to draw customers inside
Another benefit of a local venue is the ability to provide special options and benefits in real-time. For example, some stores are integrating coffee shops or pharmacies into their space to give customers another reason to stop in and stay longer, The Nielsen Company reported. Pleasing store layouts and interactive displays also go a long way. KPMG called it "shopper-tainment" – people like to try things out and play with gadgets, which is a big plus over online shopping. Retailers should offer demonstrations and trials to keep people coming back.

Compete with online convenience
Shoppers like online purchases because they're fast and easy. Merchants can make their in-store operations fast and easy, too, especially with new retail technology. For example, POS software can enable customers to purchase an item anywhere in the store, without walking to the checkout lanes. Kiosks can extend product offerings otherwise limited by shelf space, as reported by KPMG. That way, customers can still see and touch physical items, but if they want a different color or model, they can immediately look it up at the kiosk.

Create cool experiences with new retail technology
As technology becomes more powerful and more portable, the opportunities are endless. Merchants need to think outside the box and use technology to shape and personalize the all-important customer experience. For example, the KPMG report mentioned that some retailers are using RFID smart tags on clothing to communicate with audio systems in their fitting rooms. The system chooses songs appropriate to the type of clothing a customer is trying on, which likely coordinates with the his or her preferences.

The report found that one of the main reasons managers are disappointed with the results of new technology is that they don't have the time or the knowledge to successfully integrate them with their business models. But with some guidance from experts, they can develop a cohesive technology strategy tailored to their companies to form an impressive customer experience.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, January 9th, 2014 at 10:25 am .

With the growth of e-commerce and the prevalence of mobile devices, a fantastic website can do wonders for retail marketing. Even brick-and-mortar stores that don't sell products online will benefit from a strong Internet presence. People turn to the Web to find local businesses, so search results can have a huge impact on consumer choice.

Here are a few tips to get your retail website into shape:

1. Use keywords and update your site often. Make sure your webpages include plenty of keywords that customers will use to search for your products. Updating your website frequently, such as with news or recent pictures, will improve its place in search results and encourage people to return repeatedly to the site.
2. Simple, intuitive design. As Paul Dunay wrote in Forbes, customers appreciate a humble, honest presentation that they can trust. You can also use retail customer intelligence to recommend products that make sense to the consumer, which Dunay said is much more effective than promoting the items that your brand wants to sell.
3. Plan for mobile access. Mobile browsing is continually increasing. In a New York Times blog, Eilene Zimmerman emphasized the importance of "responsive" design, or website frameworks that stretch or shrink based on mobile screen sizes. This ensures that your website is accessible and attractive for mobile users.
4. Integrate with social media. The Guardian suggested that social media richly augments search engine optimization for digital marketing. Social media is key for winning customer trust and for word-of-mouth recommendations. Plus, Google now includes social media as a factor in rating search results, the source noted.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, January 9th, 2014 at 5:24 am .

The majority of retailers worldwide plan to increase their use of data and analytics this year, according to the newly released Exacttarget Marketing Cloud 2014 State of Marketing study. The cross-industry survey, completed by Salesforce.com and summarized in a Business Wire press release, examined responses from 2,600 mid- to senior-level marketing managers. To augment digital marketing campaigns, merchants plan to use retail customer intelligence fueled by big data to more effectively target and convert consumers.

The plan is a wise one, according to Forrester Research. As reported in Forbes, Forrester highlighted big data capabilities in its top tech trends for 2014 and beyond. Technological advancements in data collection and analytics will help firms surpass previous limitations in customer engagement and retail management. Predictive applications draw on information such as POS data, social data and syndicated data, which can help anticipate customers' needs to offer solutions in real time.

However, Gary Edwards, chief customer officer at Mindshare Technologies, wrote in an article for Retail Customer Experience that local businesses still lag behind on big data. Store managers often lack the resources and time to implement strategies for actionable data analysis. Therefore, companies should empower local store supervisors to develop programs and improve customer experiences by providing them with data and insights based on retail reports.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, January 8th, 2014 at 6:28 am .

Mobile devices are surging to the forefront of how people interact in today's retail industry. Consequently, businesses that want to remain competitive will do well to accelerate their strategies for using and accommodating mobile devices.

Smartphone use and mobile web browsing are becoming the norm
Nearly half of Western Europeans are expected to use the mobile web in 2014, according to eMarketer estimates. In the United States, smartphone use is even more prominent – 56 percent of U.S. adults use smartphones, including 80 percent of 18 to 29 year olds, a Pew research poll found. The poll also reported that 63 percent of  American adults use cell phones to go online, a figure that has doubled since 2009.

"A majority of the public now owns a smartphone, and mobile devices are playing an increasingly central role in the way that Americans access online services and information," said Aaron Smith, a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center's Internet Project.

Turning mobile prominence into profits 
An active mobile strategy is essential for businesses to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by ever-present mobile devices and not get left behind. A study conducted by IBM found that only 20 percent of organizations believe they have a leading mobile strategy compared to their peers, but 44 percent plan to get ahead in the next few years. 

Successful mobile strategies don't stop at email communication. "The organizations that come out ahead will be the ones that prioritize mobile and redefine its use to drive a new set of business expectations and user experiences," said Kevin Custis, Social Business and Mobile practices leader at IBM. The IBM study examined how "mobile strategy leaders" are best making use of new technology, giving insight into the challenges and opportunities for companies in 2014. Below are the major pointers:

1. Interoperability and integration. Businesses that take advantage of mobile devices, such as handheld pos software, are most successful when mobile apps are fully integrated with existing systems. Customers' interactions should be seamless and consistent, regardless of the platform.

2. Smart and speedy use of data. One of the major benefits of a mobile environment is accessibility of information. Companies can enable employees to work outside of the office, and leaders should analyze and utilize the abundant data made available by mobile interactions. For example, companies can use data to offer targeted deals to customers faster.

3. Design for mobile devices. Sixty-one percent of web-based emails are opened on mobile devices, according to Mobile Marketing Watch, and an increasing percentage of shopping and purchases occur online, too. Businesses need to take mobile design into consideration for advertisements, store websites, and apps. 

4. Security. No one wants insecure data. Online transactions need to be secure with dependable ecommerce software. In an age of BYOD, security needs to take priority in a well-documented strategy.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 at 12:14 pm .

Online commerce was the highlight of the Christmas season for Britain's retail industry. While in-store sales were largely a disappointment, online purchases surged to record highs. Poor weather might have dissuaded some shoppers from venturing out, but increased confidence in online purchasing, as well as enticing deals, brought much of the holiday traffic to the web. 

"People trusted [online purchasing] this year," Christine Cross, an independent retail adviser, told the Financial Times. "They knew it would get there. In previous years, it has always been a bit of a wing and a prayer."

The development of click and collect systems, where customers can buy online and then pick up their item from a retail location, helped inspire confidence in online purchases, The Telegraph reported. This can help consumers avoid having to wait for deliveries.

In addition to enhanced delivery methods, the early presence of online deals were a game changer for many consumers. According to Cross, discounts appeared online before they reached the stores, allowing websites to draw spending first. Online sales accounted for over 20 percent of total retail revenue for Britain this holiday season, up from 15 percent in 2012.

With growing confidence in online shopping, as well as an increased prevalence of digital technology, the trend toward online sales is likely to continue. Businesses can be more competitive by improving their online presence with ecommerce software and online marketing.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 at 9:51 am .

When consumers and retailers alike consider the implications of ecommerce software, chances are good that they've got shoppers using their computers to buy products over the Internet. After all, even with the digital age always evolving, when individuals decide to shop online, it seems like they take to their desktops or laptops.

However, thanks to emerging wireless tools, that's no longer always the case. These days, people can seek out merchandise when they're on the go, whenever the whim to buy comes upon them. This can be very convenient for retailers – they can invest in marketing campaigns that make their brand top of mind no matter where consumers are, which can then drive more revenue. 

This is a reason why a number of retail professionals are forecasting that 2014 will be the year of mobile ecommerce strategies. According to Practical Ecommerce, many surveys have revealed that Internet traffic on mobile phones should eclipse that of desktops and laptops in 2014, so it would behoove company leaders to optimize mobile pos software as soon as possible.

Namely, they should work on faster load times, including appropriately sized images and developing apps or similar features, the source suggested.

Moreover, Mobile-Financial recommended that retailers start incorporating mobile in stores, like allowing for mobile checkouts at the register, because smartphones and brick-and-mortar technologies can work together to provide a better consumer experience.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 at 4:23 am .

With the new year comes new predictions for the market. For 2014, the buzzwords are centered on technology and a more integrated customer experience. From handheld point of sale options to better websites, retailers are focusing on consumer convenience and accessibility. As smartphones continue to become more intimately integrated with daily life, retail technology is essential both for online sales and storefront locations.

Consumers want a seamless experience, whether they shop online, at a store, or both. Businesses can gain a competitive advantage by making the shopping experience more integrated and more helpful for customers. "One of the key trends is more – and better – omnichannel integration," said UK Google Managing Director Dan Cobley in an article for Retail Week. "Done right, the combination of a store network and online is a winning formula that pure-plays can't match." 

The results of an omnichannel sales strategy were impressive for Finish Line in 2013. As reported in Internet Retailer, Finish Line's third quarter sales saw an increase of 22.9% to $364.5 million from $296.6 million. Chairman and CEO Glenn S. Lyon emphasized the company's strategic use of technology in the Finish Line Q3 2014 Earnings Call: "Our total performance is being fueled by effective digital initiatives that create increasingly more personalized consumer engagements through desktop computers, mobile phones, tablets and social media," he said. "Our objective isn't to dictate where customers shop; rather, make sure we are wherever they prefer to shop."

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, January 6th, 2014 at 10:35 am .

By now, it should come as no surprise to many company owners that as official retail reports come streaming in, there is confirmation that the 2013 holiday situation was relatively dismal. Sure, the majority of businesses did turn a profit and saw a substantial amount of money at the point of sale, but in comparison to years past, many fell flat.

For instance, the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs revealed that, as of Dec. 21, weekly sales at American retail locations rose by only 1.4 percent, while year-over-year, that figure reached 2.7 percent as compared to 2012. While these statistics are favorable, they're not exactly strong, given the close proximity to Christmas. 

Numbers like these suggest that the U.S. economy leading up to the winter holidays was not as stable as many had predicted. And on top of that, Bloomberg Businessweek called contributing factors like consumer demand "anemic," also pointing out that foot traffic and satisfaction were less-than-desirable. 

To create a stronger 2014, merchants might have to buckle down and invest in things like better service, retail customer intelligence and more competitive pricing to bolster profit margins. The source reported that elements such as shipping problems, late deals and other factors contributed to the nearly stagnant 2013 holiday season, so, equipped with that knowledge, retailers might be able to sidestep such issues in the coming year.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, January 2nd, 2014 at 6:02 am .