Amazon and eBay get smart with customer data to reach users based on interests across the web Google ramps up shopping tools- smartphone tracking makes stronger links between browsing and buying habits across multi-channel Social scrapbook Pinterest opens to retailers- visuals and recommendations prove powerful combo for upselling online ‘Showrooming’ – the shopping of the […]
Amazon and eBay get smart with customer data to reach users based on interests across the web
Google ramps up shopping tools- smartphone tracking makes stronger links between browsing and buying habits across multi-channel
Social scrapbook Pinterest opens to retailers- visuals and recommendations prove powerful combo for upselling online
‘Showrooming’ – the shopping of the future?
As Blockbuster’s sad demise proves, the world’s shoppers are going digital fast. 2013 saw the big online retailers Amazon and eBay cement their positions and revamp ad platforms for smarter targeting, while Google’s mobile tracking now makes the vital link between browsing online and shopping in-stores.
Multi-channel shopping lived up to the hype, with consumers using stores as showrooms to buy products cheaper online.
As part of our review of 2013, we look back at the 10 biggest headlines that shaped ecommerce during the year.
Amazon ‘AutoRip’ takes on iTunes with free digital copies of purchased CDs
January 2013
Amazon is offering customers that purchase CDs a free digital version saved to its cloud storage service. The AutoRip feature allows customers to receive digital copies of new purchases for more than 50,000 albums. The program also offers AutoRip copies of CDs customers have purchased over the last 15 years, a timetable that coincides with the launch of Amazon’s Music Store.
Amazon plans ‘personalised ads’ to compete with Google and Facebook
January 2013
Amazon is set to launch personalised ads on its websites, including Kindle devices, based on the shopping habits of its 188m users, according to a news report. The Financial Times reports that the company is aiming to take on established digital marketing businesses rivals Google, Facebook, Microsoft and AOL.
Google sponsored shopping ads launch across Europe
Amazon is set to launch personalised ads on its websites, including Kindle devices, based on the shopping habits of its 188m users, according to a news report. The Financial Times reports that the company is aiming to take on established digital marketing businesses rivals Google, Facebook, Microsoft and AOL.
Google sponsored shopping ads launch across Europe
February 2014
Google has revamped its shopping tool in Europe and beyond with a new service called ‘Product Listing Ads’, as the web giant looks to extend its hugely successful AdWords model to the world of ecommerce. Watch this ‘Hangout’ video from Jon Venverloh, Senior Manager–Google Shopping, offering a guide to creating and optimising product listings on Google.
Groupon founder fired after shares plummet
March 2013
Groupon has ousted its founder and CEO Andrew Mason, after the embattled daily deals site posted another quarterly loss, prompting a 24% slide in its share price on Thursday. Daily deals websites have grown in popularity over recent years, spearheaded by Groupon, which even floated on the stock exchange back in 2011. However, dwindling sales have led to fears that customers are tiring of its business model amid competition from big players such as Amazon and Google. In a note to employees, he said: “After four and a half intense and wonderful years as CEO of Groupon, I’ve decided that I’d like to spend more time with my family. Just kidding – I was fired today. If you’re wondering why… you haven’t been paying attention.”
EBay begins targeting ads based on user browsing habits
April 2014
EBay has begun sharing the browsing habits of its users with third party advertisers, as the online marketplace looks to rival Amazon, Facebook on Google in the lucrative practice of behaviourally targeted ads.
Amazon offers Paypal-style ‘login and pay’ button
October 2014
Amazon has launched a new ‘login and pay’ button, letting external websites allow their customers to pay via their Amazon accounts, as the firm steps up its battle with eBay and its PayPal payments system. The ‘Login and Pay with Amazon’ tool lets shoppers pay for products on participating websites using their existing Amazon account credentials.
Online retail’s ‘Golden 1%’- Loyal customers generate 40% of ecommerce sales
October 2013
Just over 1% of a retail website’s users generate as much as 40% of its revenues according to new research. The study, from Customer Experience Management (CXM) platform Qubit, examined 950 million page views from more than 123 million website visits. The research found that whilst this 1.06% of total visitors generate four tenths of a site’s income, there are a further 20% of site visitors who will never make a purchase.
Why do happy shoppers spend more? (video)
November 2013
If retailers and brands want shoppers to spend more, they need to focus first on making shoppers happy, according to a new report.
Google tracks mobile shoppers’ location to link browsing and buying habits
November 2013
Google is reportedly testing a tool that uses smartphone location data to monitor when consumers visit stores, providing a vital link between online and offline purchase behaviour.
Pinterest lets retailers embed ‘hottest trends’ on their websites
November 2013
Pinterest is opening up its site to retailers for the first time, as the popular online scrapbook begins letting brands capitalise on its user data for the first time. The move sees Pinterest open up its API (the code for app creation) letting developers embed pins directly on their websites. Pinterest has launched the service with 20 partners, including Zappos and Walmart. These firms will use real-time Pinterest data to generate lists of the most-pinned items in their online stores.
