The New York Times reports that Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, D-W. Va., has launched an investigation into the businesses practices of data brokers, with the Senate Commerce Committee (which he chairs) sending notices (presumably requesting testimony) to nine of the major brokerage firms in the database marketing business: Acxiom, Experian, Equifax,
Transunion, Epsilon, Reed Elsevier (Lexis-Nexis), Datalogix, Rapleaf and
Spokeo.
The investigation will examine the practices of these brokerage firms and the
impact they have on consumers. “Because consumers are now able to
conduct nearly all of their daily business online, an unprecedented
amount of personal, medical, and financial information about them can be
mined, collected, and sold,” Rockefeller states in the letter to the brokers.
“Because your industry has monetized consumer data, it is critical that
we understand what information companies like yours are already
collecting and selling.”
The Times reports that "Linda A. Woolley, the acting chief executive of the Direct Marketing
Association, a trade group, called the senator’s investigation 'a
baseless fishing expedition... I hope Senator Rockefeller understands what he’s tampering with.'"
I don't think that in and of itself the investigation is problematic. A little daylight here would be beneficial, in my opinion.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Traidcraft Goes Mobile With Maginus
Traidcraft, the UK’s leading fair trade company, has gone mobile to offer their customers on the move a better online experience. Traidcraft has identified mobile commerce as one of the most effective ways to take advantage of this year’s Christmas rush and encourage customers to return again when they are looking for a special gift in the future. The new mCommerce site has been designed, built and implemented by Maginus.
Mobile User InterfaceTraidcraft commissioned Maginus for the project because they have many years’ experience within the broader multi-channel market and within eCommerce specifically. Maginus also provide Traidcraft’s current systems including the eCommerce site which is built on the Maginus eCommerce solution. Traidcraft had identified that they needed to streamline the customer journey via mobile and therefore needed a true mCommerce solution.
Paul Oliver, Head of Supporter Development at Traidcraft said, "Our mCommerce strategy was the natural next step for our multi-channel offering with which we would like to engage with existing customers through their smartphone and we are also looking to increase our customer acquisition via the new mCommerce site."
He continued, "The Maginus consultants were very helpful and knowledgeable allowing us to quickly clarify what we wanted from the new site. It was also important to us that the new mCommerce site was easy to manage and didn’t add to our overheads. The new site is in effect an extension of our eCommerce site, sharing the same product and pricing information so we only ever have to update data in one place."
Mobile Product Listing
One of the key aspects to the mCommerce site is that it shares the shopping basket with the current online shop, allowing customers to shop on the move, log out, and then complete the transaction from their computer at home.
Mark Thornton, eCommerce director at Maginus commented, “The mobile solution will support Traidcraft’s Digital Marketing strategy whilst also servicing the customer that prefers to browse on their phone or ipad.
"Our relationship with Traidcraft has been very successful over the years and once again we have been able to deliver this project within a very tight timescale of just 6 weeks and within budget, providing them with an excellent means of tapping into the Christmas shopping rush which will soon start."
This product will also tap into the multi-channel back office system also provided by Maginus to ensure that customer records & reporting are consistent across channels.
Traidcraft will soon be launching a campaign that will promote the service to their current supporters as well as a group of potential shoppers that could be converted into regular supporters.
Traidcraft, the UK’s leading fair trade company, has gone mobile to offer their customers on the move a better online experience. Traidcraft has identified mobile commerce as one of the most effective ways to take advantage of this year’s Christmas rush and encourage customers to return again when they are looking for a special gift in the future.
The new mCommerce site has been designed, built and implemented by Maginus. Traidcraft commissioned Maginus for the project because they have many years’ experience within the broader multi-channel market and within eCommerce specifically. Maginus also provide Traidcraft’s current systems including the eCommerce site.
Mobile User InterfaceTraidcraft commissioned Maginus for the project because they have many years’ experience within the broader multi-channel market and within eCommerce specifically. Maginus also provide Traidcraft’s current systems including the eCommerce site which is built on the Maginus eCommerce solution. Traidcraft had identified that they needed to streamline the customer journey via mobile and therefore needed a true mCommerce solution.
Paul Oliver, Head of Supporter Development at Traidcraft said, "Our mCommerce strategy was the natural next step for our multi-channel offering with which we would like to engage with existing customers through their smartphone and we are also looking to increase our customer acquisition via the new mCommerce site."
He continued, "The Maginus consultants were very helpful and knowledgeable allowing us to quickly clarify what we wanted from the new site. It was also important to us that the new mCommerce site was easy to manage and didn’t add to our overheads. The new site is in effect an extension of our eCommerce site, sharing the same product and pricing information so we only ever have to update data in one place."
Mobile Product Listing
One of the key aspects to the mCommerce site is that it shares the shopping basket with the current online shop, allowing customers to shop on the move, log out, and then complete the transaction from their computer at home.
Mark Thornton, eCommerce director at Maginus commented, “The mobile solution will support Traidcraft’s Digital Marketing strategy whilst also servicing the customer that prefers to browse on their phone or ipad."Our relationship with Traidcraft has been very successful over the years and once again we have been able to deliver this project within a very tight timescale of just 6 weeks and within budget, providing them with an excellent means of tapping into the Christmas shopping rush which will soon start."
This product will also tap into the multi-channel back office system also provided by Maginus to ensure that customer records & reporting are consistent across channels.
Traidcraft will soon be launching a campaign that will promote the service to their current supporters as well as a group of potential shoppers that could be converted into regular supporters.
Traidcraft, the UK’s leading fair trade company, has gone mobile to offer their customers on the move a better online experience. Traidcraft has identified mobile commerce as one of the most effective ways to take advantage of this year’s Christmas rush and encourage customers to return again when they are looking for a special gift in the future.
The new mCommerce site has been designed, built and implemented by Maginus. Traidcraft commissioned Maginus for the project because they have many years’ experience within the broader multi-channel market and within eCommerce specifically. Maginus also provide Traidcraft’s current systems including the eCommerce site.
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
RollerWarehouse Migrates to GoECart
The following is courtesy of GoECart:
The Challenge
RollerWarehouse launched its first online store in 2000 and has since used a myriad of systems, from smaller “shopping carts” to large systems that required pricey in-house infrastructure and IT staff to manage.
Most recently, the company used three systems to run its multi-channel retail operation: ASPDotNetStorefront, a traditional Order Management System, and FedEx Ship Manager Software. Each of these systems required separate licensing, were difficult to use, poorly integrated and required routine upgrades and maintenance. What RollerWarehouse needed was a single integrated solution that would keep up with rising customer expectations and support customer service excellence across all channels—without breaking the bank.
The Solution
GoECart 360 Ecommerce Suite, which provided:
eCommerce conversion rates are up 21% and Average Order Value is up 8% in Sept. 2012 from the year before. That speaks for itself!
The Challenge
RollerWarehouse launched its first online store in 2000 and has since used a myriad of systems, from smaller “shopping carts” to large systems that required pricey in-house infrastructure and IT staff to manage.
Most recently, the company used three systems to run its multi-channel retail operation: ASPDotNetStorefront, a traditional Order Management System, and FedEx Ship Manager Software. Each of these systems required separate licensing, were difficult to use, poorly integrated and required routine upgrades and maintenance. What RollerWarehouse needed was a single integrated solution that would keep up with rising customer expectations and support customer service excellence across all channels—without breaking the bank.
The Solution
GoECart 360 Ecommerce Suite, which provided:
- a more user-friendly “Custom Skate Builder” product configurator
- a superior online shopping experience integrated with Facebook, Twitter, and a blog
- real-time inventory visibility from purchasing to the customer-facing storefront
- ease-of-use, with in-house IT infrastructure
- strong security features
- PCI compliance
- improved team productivity and back office efficiency
eCommerce conversion rates are up 21% and Average Order Value is up 8% in Sept. 2012 from the year before. That speaks for itself!
Monday, October 08, 2012
Managing Nationwide Sales Taxes
In an article entitled "Online Sales Tax Will Create Ecommerce Chaos" in Multichannel Merchant (Oct. 8 online), Steve DelBianco, Executive Director of NetChoice, warns that pending federal legislation that would allow states to require online retailers to collect sales tax on all sales nationwide is "a nightmare coming your way."
We've written about this before, and cited the 1992 Supreme Court decision, Quill Corp. vs. North Dakota, which said states are not allowed to require out-of-state companies to collect sales taxes unless that company has a physical presence, such as a store or warehouse, in the state.
We've written about this before, and cited the 1992 Supreme Court decision, Quill Corp. vs. North Dakota, which said states are not allowed to require out-of-state companies to collect sales taxes unless that company has a physical presence, such as a store or warehouse, in the state.
Cabela's Wins Award for Digby Localpoint Service
Cabela’s was named by RIS News as the winner of the 2012 RIS News Fusion Awards. Presented at the RIS News Cross-Channel Retail Executive Summit/Social-Mobile Convergence Forum, the awards recognize retail companies that are leaders, successful performers and technology innovators, specifically in the area of cross-channel excellence and fusing IT solutions with business strategy.
The panel of judges have recognized initiatives that use mobile technology effectively to promote cross-channel customer activity, leading to enhanced customer experience, greater linkage of retail sites and communication channels, and achievement of strong business performance benefits.
Cabela’s, through its new application powered by Digby Localpoint, can engage with its customers through its own mobile app leveraging location, marketing, analytics, and mCommerce. Cabela’s enhances its branded catalog and in-store experiences by incorporating a barcode and QR code scanner into its mobile app so consumers can scan products in store or in the Cabela’s catalog to learn more about products, including product descriptions, ratings and reviews, videos and promotional offers.
The panel of judges have recognized initiatives that use mobile technology effectively to promote cross-channel customer activity, leading to enhanced customer experience, greater linkage of retail sites and communication channels, and achievement of strong business performance benefits.
Cabela’s, through its new application powered by Digby Localpoint, can engage with its customers through its own mobile app leveraging location, marketing, analytics, and mCommerce. Cabela’s enhances its branded catalog and in-store experiences by incorporating a barcode and QR code scanner into its mobile app so consumers can scan products in store or in the Cabela’s catalog to learn more about products, including product descriptions, ratings and reviews, videos and promotional offers.
Saturday, October 06, 2012
Topgrade Sportswear Selects Elucid
Sanderson, the publicly-owned UK provider of multi-channel retail software, has implemented its Elucid system at Topgrade Sportswear, a leading sports and fashion retailer and wholesaler.
The new system streamlines and improves warehouse operations, offering faster delivery and enhancing customer service. It also expands sales and marketing capabilities across the business by consolidating data from all sales channels to underpin the merchant's multichannel strategy.
Part of the JD Sports group of companies, Topgrade Sportswear selected Elucid for its ability to support both the company’s wholesale operation and their ‘Get the Label’ online retail business, which is experiencing significant growth.
The Elucid system processes and fulfils all wholesale and online sales, increasing the number of orders dispatched each day and providing real-time stock levels with improved stock control.
By using a single system across both businesses, and at separate warehouse locations, Topgrade Sportswear is benefiting from extensive visibility of their customers, operations and stock, which is boosting service levels and response times. In addition, the company has reduced ‘product to market’ time scales by streamlining buying processes and strengthening supplier relationships with key manufacturers.
Paul Simpson, Managing Director, Topgrade Sportswear, comments: “Our investment with Sanderson forms an integral part of our growth strategy. The Elucid system allows us to manage multiple businesses whilst generating company-wide efficiencies by optimizing multichannel processes.”
Ian Newcombe, Managing Director, Sanderson Multi-Channel Solutions, added: “We are very pleased that Topgrade Sportswear are realizing the immediate benefits of the Elucid Multi-Channel system. We look forward to working together to support the next phase of their growth.”
The new system streamlines and improves warehouse operations, offering faster delivery and enhancing customer service. It also expands sales and marketing capabilities across the business by consolidating data from all sales channels to underpin the merchant's multichannel strategy.
Part of the JD Sports group of companies, Topgrade Sportswear selected Elucid for its ability to support both the company’s wholesale operation and their ‘Get the Label’ online retail business, which is experiencing significant growth.
The Elucid system processes and fulfils all wholesale and online sales, increasing the number of orders dispatched each day and providing real-time stock levels with improved stock control.
By using a single system across both businesses, and at separate warehouse locations, Topgrade Sportswear is benefiting from extensive visibility of their customers, operations and stock, which is boosting service levels and response times. In addition, the company has reduced ‘product to market’ time scales by streamlining buying processes and strengthening supplier relationships with key manufacturers.
Paul Simpson, Managing Director, Topgrade Sportswear, comments: “Our investment with Sanderson forms an integral part of our growth strategy. The Elucid system allows us to manage multiple businesses whilst generating company-wide efficiencies by optimizing multichannel processes.”
Ian Newcombe, Managing Director, Sanderson Multi-Channel Solutions, added: “We are very pleased that Topgrade Sportswear are realizing the immediate benefits of the Elucid Multi-Channel system. We look forward to working together to support the next phase of their growth.”
L.K. Bennett Selects StoreActive
L.K.Bennett has selected retail module StoreActive, part of the ActiveSeries suite
from MNP Media Ltd., to provide an integrated in-store ordering platform that delivers Click & Collect/Ship
and (very soon) multi-channel returns management.
With a UK network of over 80 stores, L.K.Bennett is an international luxury brand selling women's shoes, ready-to-wear, handbags and accessories.
StoreActive is designed to be tablet-independent or used through browser-based POS, linking the direct channel warehouse inventory to all retail locations to ensure all sale opportunities are captured. The system works by allowing the sales assistant to search for the customer's product requirements using size/color/style and place an order linked to real-time inventory. The customer can then pay via a chip-and-pin credit or debit card, or securely online. The order is then shipped to store, home or work.
MNP’s was selected based on its proven track record of high-volume order processing together with its experience in multi-channel retail both in UK and overseas. L.K.Bennett has also selected MNP to provide ActiveSeries ERP for their direct channel based in the USA.
Pierre D’Arbost, Managing Director, MNP commented, “As retailers are moving into omni-channel sales, we must ensure that sales platforms can be easily integrated to satisfy the demands of retail customers. We bridge the gap between retail and online for our clients.”
With a UK network of over 80 stores, L.K.Bennett is an international luxury brand selling women's shoes, ready-to-wear, handbags and accessories.
StoreActive is designed to be tablet-independent or used through browser-based POS, linking the direct channel warehouse inventory to all retail locations to ensure all sale opportunities are captured. The system works by allowing the sales assistant to search for the customer's product requirements using size/color/style and place an order linked to real-time inventory. The customer can then pay via a chip-and-pin credit or debit card, or securely online. The order is then shipped to store, home or work.
MNP’s was selected based on its proven track record of high-volume order processing together with its experience in multi-channel retail both in UK and overseas. L.K.Bennett has also selected MNP to provide ActiveSeries ERP for their direct channel based in the USA.
Pierre D’Arbost, Managing Director, MNP commented, “As retailers are moving into omni-channel sales, we must ensure that sales platforms can be easily integrated to satisfy the demands of retail customers. We bridge the gap between retail and online for our clients.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
