Online Shopping — Easier Than It Looks Connecting with brands and stores via online channels has never been as easy as it is today, however the actual shopping aspect can get a bit tricky with the many options available online as well as showrooming tendencies.Although I prefer shopping at a brick-and-mortar store (as mentioned in a previous post), there are certain items I’m comfortable buying online, such as one-size-fits-all items such as hats, scarves and gloves.  There are numerous apps dedicated to helping consumers find the best deals and share their latest purchases, whether made online or in physical stores. I’ve become intrigued with fashion bloggers, so much so that there are several I follow religiously. Upon reading one of these blogger’s latest posts, I discovered a new mobile app, Snapette. This app enables fashionistas to find the latest trends in neighboring stores and share them with other members. Similarly, there are retail mobile tools like the Forever 21 app that enables consumers to browse through products from a specific store and make a purchase within the app.Retail TouchPoints recently featured other retailers that are enhancing their e-Commerce engagement through the use of mobile apps:Verizon Partners With Square To Offer Mobile Payment For Small BusinessesSephora Sees 167% Boost In Mobile Orders During 2012Fashion Execs Discuss Mobile And Social Best Practices Mobile apps like these help blur the lines between online and brick-and-mortar stores that can make it easier for consumers to engage with local and preferred retailers.

Online Shopping — Easier Than It Looks

Connecting with brands and stores via online channels has never been as easy as it is today, however the actual shopping aspect can get a bit tricky with the many options available online as well as showrooming tendencies.

Although I prefer shopping at a brick-and-mortar store (as mentioned in a previous post), there are certain items I’m comfortable buying online, such as one-size-fits-all items such as hats, scarves and gloves. 

There are numerous apps dedicated to helping consumers find the best deals and share their latest purchases, whether made online or in physical stores.

I’ve become intrigued with fashion bloggers, so much so that there are several I follow religiously. Upon reading one of these blogger’s latest posts, I discovered a new mobile app, Snapette. This app enables fashionistas to find the latest trends in neighboring stores and share them with other members.

Similarly, there are retail mobile tools like the Forever 21 app that enables consumers to browse through products from a specific store and make a purchase within the app.

Retail TouchPoints recently featured other retailers that are enhancing their e-Commerce engagement through the use of mobile apps:

Verizon Partners With Square To Offer Mobile Payment For Small Businesses
Sephora Sees 167% Boost In Mobile Orders During 2012
Fashion Execs Discuss Mobile And Social Best Practices

Mobile apps like these help blur the lines between online and brick-and-mortar stores that can make it easier for consumers to engage with local and preferred retailers.

Courting Your Customers: It Starts With Attraction Similar to the dating scenario, retailers must “court” consumers with messages and imaging that create a reason for the shopper to make the next move. Loyalty will build as merchants develop a relationship with customers, based on an understanding of their “data.” “The ability to capture data about each customer’s engagements is invaluable,” noted Lewis Chang, VP of E-Commerce and Marketing for Skinit, in a recent Executive ViewPoints column. Capturing this customer data “is more like dating than you would believe. You don’t want to overwhelm in the beginning, but you need to show that you are listening. Then, as the relationship matures, marketing needs to speak one-on-one and be relevant to the customer engaged.” This relates well to my first visit to Charming Charlie. I was curious about the store layout and types of jewelry being sold. I had a terrific experience and told a co-worker about it. After visiting Charming Charlie, she, too, fell in love. Like a domino effect, everyone we told, and then who they told, brought friends and family members who have since become loyal customers. Sealing The DealMaybe you visited a store for the first time because you received a gift card or a daily deal. Perhaps it was a gift from a friend you needed to exchange. Whatever the reason for your visit, that initial contact likely helped to pique your interest in the products and/or services. However, just like dating, your loyalty to that store or brand requires open, two-way communication; the retailer must communicate with you about what they can offer you, and then you must let retailers know how they can meet your needs. Whether it’s shopping online or at a brick-and-mortar store, consumers want to feel a connection with the retailer. After all, why start the dating process if you don’t intend to be loyal? View high resolution

Courting Your Customers: It Starts With Attraction

Similar to the dating scenario, retailers must “court” consumers with messages and imaging that create a reason for the shopper to make the next move. Loyalty will build as merchants develop a relationship with customers, based on an understanding of their “data.”

“The ability to capture data about each customer’s engagements is invaluable,” noted Lewis Chang, VP of E-Commerce and Marketing for Skinit, in a recent Executive ViewPoints column. Capturing this customer data “is more like dating than you would believe. You don’t want to overwhelm in the beginning, but you need to show that you are listening. Then, as the relationship matures, marketing needs to speak one-on-one and be relevant to the customer engaged.”

This relates well to my first visit to Charming Charlie. I was curious about the store layout and types of jewelry being sold. I had a terrific experience and told a co-worker about it. After visiting Charming Charlie, she, too, fell in love. Like a domino effect, everyone we told, and then who they told, brought friends and family members who have since become loyal customers.

Sealing The Deal
Maybe you visited a store for the first time because you received a gift card or a daily deal. Perhaps it was a gift from a friend you needed to exchange. Whatever the reason for your visit, that initial contact likely helped to pique your interest in the products and/or services.

However, just like dating, your loyalty to that store or brand requires open, two-way communication; the retailer must communicate with you about what they can offer you, and then you must let retailers know how they can meet your needs.

Whether it’s shopping online or at a brick-and-mortar store, consumers want to feel a connection with the retailer. After all, why start the dating process if you don’t intend to be loyal?

And of course, my favorite store is open. I 💕 #DollarTree! View high resolution

And of course, my favorite store is open. I 💕 #DollarTree!

The Demand Gen Report Blog: IDC: Marketing Automation Continues Double-Digit Growth

demandgenreport:

The latest market research from IDC continues to show a strong market for both marketing automation and sales automation solutions.

IDC’s Worldwide Semiannual Software Tracker for the first half of 2012 showed overall software market growth of 4.7% year over year. This marks the beginning of…

(Reblogged from demandgenreport)

Holiday Shopping: A Wise Woman Saves With Mobile “Weapon”

It’s not even December and I have already planned my holiday shopping list. Actually, I purchased a few items this past summer! For me, if the price is right on a gift or an item for myself, I will buy it — just after asking myself, “Do you really need to spend money on this?”

My mobile devices — either my iPad or iPhone — is my best weapon. Prior to setting foot into a store, I am knowledgeable about the product and the stores that carry it. Because I’m big on peer reviews, I also text friends while in the store for their personal opinions and possible alternatives.

Armed with mobile apps such as foursquare and shopkick, I am notified of nearby stores that have products of interest to me. These apps really help me save at the point of sale, and offer rewards the more I engage with them..  They and others like them, along with retailer promotions and good service, bring me into a store and keep me there, and make me feel less hesitant about parting with my money.

“It’s up to retailers to make consumers feel good about spending, help poke them out of their hazards, and make their way to the stores,” Pam Goodfellow, Consumer Insights Director for BIGInsight told Retail TouchPoints. “Regardless of what happens… consumers are still going to shop this holiday. However, based on the economy and employment rates, consumers may spend a little less. It’s really up to retailers to help consumers by rolling out promotions and provide great customer service that may help the add-ons. So, instead of just purchasing a sweater, the consumer might also walk out with a scarf set.”

Showrooming Becomes A Norm
Showrooming, a popular trend among us new-age consumers, is something that actually can benefit retailers. The fact is that “showrooming is not going away any time soon,” explained Brian Kinsella, Senior Director of Product Management for Manhattan Associates in a recent Executive ViewPoints segment. “It will continue to grow. How retailers prosper, or survive, in this new retail landscape will depend upon how they respond to their customers’ needs.”

Truth is, consumers are and will continue using their mobile devices ― which are always on, and every consumer owns one ― to harness the best deals. Retailers that embrace mobile marketing are going to win this holiday season.

The New Brick-And-Mortar Store: Digital Signage, Interactive Screens And Everything In Between

E-Commerce is a primary focus for many retailers leveraging the growth of online sales. Some even have replaced physical stores for greater investment in web site strategies. But Burberry has taken a different approach to e-Tailing with the introduction of the New Burberry World Live brick-and-mortar store, a physical extension of the merchant’s online marketing strategy.

In a recent flagship video, Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Officer of Burberry, discussed the opening of the new store on 121 Regent Street, London. New Burberry World Live “is a merging of the Burberry.com site and a physical experience ― a place where consumers can come to hang out, explore and understand all the different things we do,” said Bailey. Everything on Burberry.com is reflected in this space, including Burberry acoustic music; a gallery showing the retailer’s history and heritage; and the fashion, of course.

The flagship seamlessly blurs the physical and digital lines, uses interactive mirrors that transform into personalized screens, showcases global events within the store and includes a digitally-enabled cultural space. In addition, the new store highlights British design and craftsmanship.

Using RFID To Create A Personalized Shopping Experience
Along with digital signage, Burberry has implemented radio frequency identification (RFID) to products to allow customers to view content on clothing and accessory items.
                               
Why? Because today people are more interested in what goes behind a product, said Bailey in a Mashable interview. Much can be provided on the web through video, text and imagery, but similar in-store experiences have been limited. But now, with in-store RFID, when a Burberry customer tries on a trench coat, for example, and approaches an RFID-enabled mirror, content about that coat appears on the mirror “to show how we’ve made that coat and what it looked like on the runway,” said Bailey. “We’re now able to put stories behind in-store clothes and fashion.”

My Excuse To Visit London?
After seeing the flagship video illustrating the craftsmanship and dedication to creating the new Burberry World Live store, I’m curious how all this will tie together. I’d love to see New Burberry World Live, well ― in real life! As more retailers continue to seek new ways to develop a personalized brick-and-mortar shopping experience, Burberry, in my opinion, is setting the stage for future physical and e-Commerce store integrations.

Why I Prefer Brick-And-Mortar Stores

Admittedly I am still reserved about making online purchases, even though I consider myself to be tech-savvy. This definitely is not the norm for a Gen-Y consumer. My family says I’m paranoid because I always think of worst-case scenarios prior to entering personal information online, such as bank account, credit card and telephone numbers.

I like the fact that when Iwalk into a store, I am kindly greeted by a friendly associate ready to answer my questions. I value this personal one-on-one service.

Although I cannot wear my ducky pajamas and sip hot cocoa while shopping at a physical store, I can, however, pick out some outfits, try them on and make a purchase knowing that the items will arrive safely to their destination – my closet.

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Why Personal(ity) Works

If you’ve ever walked into a store and been greeted with a genuine smile, then you know what it’s like to really feel welcomed. This type of personal approach is critical in the retail industry ― and online retailers have started to use it to connect with e-Commerce shoppers.

Readers who follow Retail TouchPoints  know that consumers are demanding a personalized shopping experience from their favorite retailers, regardless of the channel. It’s not enough for retailers to add new technology in hopes of increasing sales. In fact, some technologies can act as a barrier to connecting with shoppers: when associates can retrieve more information about a product, such as whether it is in stock or its location within the store, but nothing about that customer’s personal preferences, something that relates to their personality.  The technology is too limiting for today’s demanding shoppers. More sophisticated approaches allow associates to pull up product data as well as the key customer shopping and preference information ― required to provide that welcoming, personal approach.

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Let’s… …kiss in public and ignore the stares. …laugh at awkward situations. …hug each other with no intention of letting go. …spend all night in each other’s arms …spend all morning in bed. …run away together. …buy the next ticket to Europe. …roam the streets like maniacs. …make fun of each other. …discuss random topics. …break rules, but not our hearts. …create a life (or two). …grow old together. …fall in love. View high resolution

Let’s…

…kiss in public and ignore the stares.
…laugh at awkward situations.
…hug each other with no intention of letting go.
…spend all night in each other’s arms
…spend all morning in bed.
…run away together.
…buy the next ticket to Europe.
…roam the streets like maniacs.
…make fun of each other.
…discuss random topics.
…break rules, but not our hearts.
…create a life (or two).
…grow old together.
…fall in love.
Tima Art #random #selfportrait #appleproducts (Taken with Instagram) View high resolution

Tima Art #random #selfportrait #appleproducts (Taken with Instagram)