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| Shop.org SmartBrief |
| November 6, 2009 |
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Victoria's Secret to launch European e-commerce site
Limited Brands, a major U.S.-based fashion and beauty company, said it plans to open Victoria's Secret stores in the U.K. and other strategic markets. Also, a dedicated European online retail site will be developed. The company also is searching for a franchise partner for its Bath & Body Works chain. Retail Week (U.K.) (11/6)
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Free shipping could help fix sliding online sales numbers
Online retail sales have, for the first time on record, declined for two quarters in a row, according to a report by ComScore. "The good news is that these declines may finally be in our rearview mirror, as we anticipate marginally positive growth for the fourth quarter," said Gian Fulgoni, chairman of the research firm. The report cites free shipping as one strategy online retailers can take to turn sales around. Fulgoni said retailers that do not offer free shipping will be at a disadvantage this holiday season. Chicago Tribune (11/6) The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (11/5)
Study finds room for improvement in online customer service
A study of dozens of the U.K.'s top online retail sites found satisfactory overall performance. However, many e-commerce sites have room to improve their customer service. Retailers performed poorly in the areas of contact by e-mail and phone, according to the eDigital Research's eRetail Benchmark Study. eConsultancy.com (11/5)
BadCustomer.com provides chargeback history of shoppers
BadCustomer.com is offering online retailers a free database of shoppers who initiate chargebacks with credit card companies, which becomes a headache for the retailer. "We help prevent that nightmare before it even starts by running the customer against our database during the purchase process to make sure they're not a known chargeback risk," said BadCustomer.com CEO Brien Heideman. Hundreds of retailers contribute to the database. InternetRetailer.com (11/5)
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Tips on developing a successful corporate blog
A corporate blog can help a company share internal experts' knowledge, boost the number of natural search-generated visits and increase sales. Developing a blog with multiple authors, however, can be challenging. Acoustics By Design, a small consulting firm, has managed to pull it off and offers suggestions for other companies interesting in launching a corporate blog. MarketingSherpa (11/5)
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Wal-Mart spurs price war by slashing DVD prices
Wal-Mart has reduced the price of several upcoming DVD releases on its Web site, spurring the ongoing price war among retailers. Amazon.com and Target followed suit. The battle is expected to help consumers, but challenge smaller retailers. Los Angeles Times/Company Town blog (11/5) The Wall Street Journal (11/6)
Overstock.com CEO discusses outlook, tracking
In this wide-ranging interview with The Wall Street Journal, Patrick Byrne, the chief executive officer at Overstock.com, discusses everything from the company's history and strategies to his campaign against "naked short-selling." Byrne also says the retailer is bringing back Sabine Ehrenfeld, "the famous O girl." Byrne also touches on behavioral tracking, a practice that the FTC is scrutinizing. The Wall Street Journal/Digits blog (11/5)
In-flight Web for the holidays, from eBay
Some holiday travelers will enjoy free in-flight Wi-Fi as part of a promotion from online auction house eBay and Delta Air Lines. Passengers on about 300 specially equipped planes will get a promotional code to connect to Wi-Fi that takes them to eBay's holiday home page. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (11/4)
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U.K. postal strikes end temporarily, offering relief to e-retailers
Although the disagreement between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers' Union is not over, both sides have agreed to "a period of calm" that will allow business as usual through the holidays. The news is expected to provide welcome relief to online retailers and other businesses. Many retailers had made alternative plans for holiday deliveries, but some said consumers were pulling back out of concerns they may not receive their goods. Retail Week (U.K.) (11/6)
Making a list and checking it twice
With Christmas less than two months away, it's not too early to start holiday shopping. Start your online shopping at Shop.org's CyberMonday.com, which offers great deals from more than 650 retailers. This week's deals include free shipping at Overstock.com, up to 50% off at drugstore.com, and $5 off beauty gifts at HSN. Check out the deals. Blank (11/6)
Tax refund approved in unemployment bill will save retail jobs
NRF welcomed the passage of legislation that will bring recession-plagued retailers more than $10 billion in badly needed cash by lengthening the period during which they can "carry back" current losses to claim a tax refund from previous years when they made a profit. NRF testified on the issue before the House Small Business committee in September. Learn more. Blank (11/6)
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