More Grocery Retailers Go Multichannel

Posted on August 28, 2013 by bermanevansretail
We know that all kinds of retailers understand the value of multiple touch points for consumers — and are acting accordingly.
Recently, the “Seventh Annual Supermarket Benchmark Study” was published. As reported by eMarketer: “Grocers, like other retailers, are increasingly aware of both the challenges and opportunities presented by technology. A survey of grocery retailers in North America conducted by RIS News and International Data Corporation (IDC) Retail Insights in June 2013 found that the vast majority of respondents — more than eight in 10 — said that investments in technological improvements would take place over the next year. A major area of interest for digitally minded grocers is increasing the ability of customers to interact with retailers through a variety of channels. The idea of ordering online and picking up in-store, once a rare experience, is quickly becoming the norm. The survey found that half of those polled already offered the service, and that more than half of those that didn’t yet have it planned to offer it within 12 months.”
Click the chart to learn more.

 

Posted in Online Retailing, Part 2: Ownership, Strategy Mix, Online, Nontraditional, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 4: Store Location Planning, Part 5: Managing a Retail Business, Part 6: Merchandise Management and Pricing, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer, Part 8: Putting It All Together, Social Media and Retailing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What’s Ahead for the 2013 Retail Holiday Season?

Posted on August 26, 2013 by bermanevansretail
Check out this infographic from Dedicated Media. There are lots of interesting predictions here.

 

 

Posted in Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 5: Managing a Retail Business, Part 6: Merchandise Management and Pricing, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer, Social Media and Retailing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ikea: Cutting-Edge Catalogs

Posted on August 25, 2013 by bermanevansretail
Ikea is a global powerhouse in furniture retailing. It operates about 340 stores in 40 countries. “The Ikea Concept is created to give the many people, regardless of the thickness of their wallets, the possibility to furnish their homes – even when times are tough.”
Ikea is a big believer in multichannel retailing and offers shoppers a number of touch points, including Web sites and catalogs. And it has been quite innovative with its catalogs .
As JWT Intelligence reports: “Print catalogs are still alive and well, proving to be an enduring way of connecting with consumers. But, increasingly, catalogs will also bridge the physical/digital divide, thanks to augmented reality. Last year, Ikea added an “X-Ray” feature to its catalog — one of the most widely-distributed texts in the world — that allows readers to peer inside products and see, for instance, what a cabinet interior looks like. For the 2014 catalog, customers can place virtual furniture pieces into real-life rooms simply by scanning products with a smartphone or tablet and laying the catalog on the relevant spot on the floor.”
Watch this video to learn more.

 

Posted in Global Retailing, Online Retailing, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 5: Managing a Retail Business, Part 6: Merchandise Management and Pricing, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer, Technology in Retailing, Video Clips (non-career) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment