Mastering Your Own Professional Brand Online

Posted on November 16, 2014 by bermanevansretail
As we have written several times (see, for example: 1, 2, 3, 4), developing, managing, and marketing  one’s self brand could be THE most important factor in career success.
And now, one’s self brand must clearly and persuasively be communicated online. Consider these observations from HubSpot:
“In today’s world, it is imperative to have a strong brand online. Why? Employers use the Internet to learn about potential new employees. Businesspeople use the Internet to do research on potential new partners. Marketers use the Internet to connect with thought leaders and promote content. The list goes on and on. If your brand online is not up to par, you might be losing out on opportunities you didn’t even know existed!”
 Click the image to access a 50-page guide from HubSpot.
Professional Brand

 

Posted in Career Useful Information, Careers in Retailing, Social Media and Retailing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

An Upscale Catalog War: Neiman Marcus Vs. Saks

Posted on November 15, 2014 by bermanevansretail
For years, Neiman Marcus has led the way among upscale retailers with its elaborate annual Christmas catalog. Click below to access this year’s catalog.
Neiman Marcus

 

This year, Neiman Marcus faces a new luxury catalog challenger — Saks. Click below to access that catalog.

 

As Ray A Smith reports for the Wall Street Journal:
“Taking on Neiman Marcus’s famed Christmas Book of extravagant ‘fantasy’ gifts, Saks is publishing its own hyperluxe gift guide, with merchandise ranging from a $935 Montblanc pen to a $1.35 million diamond ring. Its holiday plans range from new gift boxes with snowflake-decorated ribbons at all 39 Saks stores to more-elaborate window and store displays, to be unveiled next month with a multimedia production that includes a simultaneous eight-minute digital-projection show, light show, and live performance by the Rockettes.”
Click the image to read more from Smith.
Photos by F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal

 

Posted in Online Retailing, Part 1: Overview/Planning, Part 2: Ownership, Strategy Mix, Online, Nontraditional, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 6: Merchandise Management and Pricing, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Global Shipping

Posted on November 14, 2014 by bermanevansretail
For a long time, E-commerce has focused on shipments from within the country where the purchases are made — due to the high shipping costs and the related paperwork.
But, recently, this has been changing substantially, as more E-consumers are shopping internationally.
According to current research, as reported by Tim Parry for Multichannel Merchant (MCM):
“New global online shopping research from Pitney Bowes reveals that cross-border E-commerce is gaining traction, with nearly 40% of consumers having purchased goods online from another country. The market opportunity for online retailers looking for a global foothold remains significant.”
“While nearly all respondents (96%) have made an online purchase, the relatively low cross-border purchases highlight an opportunity for international retailers that want to capitalize on an estimated $1.5 trillion market opportunity. A successful international strategy centers on providing buyers with clarity and accuracy in the online buying process, certainty and transparency in delivery, and competitive pricing.”
Click the first image for MCM’s highlights of the Pitney Bowes study. Click the bottom image to access more information from Pitney Bowes.
 
 

 
PB_Global_Shopping_10282014_Final

 

Posted in Global Retailing, Online Retailing, Part 1: Overview/Planning, Part 2: Ownership, Strategy Mix, Online, Nontraditional, Part 4: Store Location Planning, Part 5: Managing a Retail Business | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment