As ecommerce shopping continues to grow, consumers continue to expect free shipping and free returns, since retail conglomerates such as Amazon and Walmart allow this to be their competitive mark. Indie retailers feel they must compete and eat the cost both ways in order to give shoppers what they want, which is causing friction in […]
shipping
Shipping Carriers Prohibiting the Shipment of Vaping Products Throughout the U.S.
As part of the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021,” in the most recent COVID-19 relief bill signed into law on December 27, 2020, Congress amended the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (“PACT”) Act of 2009 to apply to e-cigarettes and all vaping products. While the bill only covers the USPS, the passage of PACT triggered all major […]
3 Shipping Mistakes Costing Independent Retailers Money
by Luke Kupersmith Modern consumers are savvy. They are better informed than ever before, and they know more about what they want to purchase prior to setting foot in a store or visiting a retailer’s website. Social media causes the demand for some products to feel sudden. The need to create a memorable customer experience […]
Introducing the Dark Storefront: A New Way of Shopping Online
As a result of the shutdowns and stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many retailers have put more of a focus on their ecommerce websites and online ordering. While brick-and-mortar is still primary, business owners are finding creative ways to utilize their storefront space other than just for in-store shopping. The Move to Dark […]
Technological Solutions Help Retailers Ensure Integrity in “Last-Mile” Delivery
by Jeanae DuBois During the last six months of 2020, retailers were forced to meet customers where they were at – online at home. Retail spending increased more than 36 percent (a leap from 13.8 percent in 2019) as shoppers moved online. Forecasters say these trends will slow down, but not go away, as the […]
How to Prepare for Shipping & Supply Chain Challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a huge transformation in the shipping and supply chain industries. Since most consumers have been trying to stay safe at home, they have been shopping online and significantly increasing the amount of packages being shipped. This boost in ecommerce shopping is putting added weight and pressure onto shipping carriers and […]
Why Insight-Driven Marketing is the Key to Ecommerce Success
by Alexander Igelsböck The pandemic has created tough challenges for retailers, often hitting independent players hardest of all. Along with falling foot traffic, economic uncertainty, and closer scrutiny of marketing budgets have come opportunities to evolve and improve their businesses for the digital future. Rapid growth in online purchasing has sparked an unprecedented ecommerce boom, […]
How to Develop a Returns Strategy Around COVID-19 Challenges
With retailers putting the finishing touches on their holiday preparations, it’s now time to start thinking about the new year. Before the red hearts and chocolates of Valentine’s Day flutter your mind, there’s one more crucial aspect of the holidays that cannot be forgotten: Returns. Holiday returns are the jammed funny bones of this busy […]
How to Find Products in Short Supply
One of the biggest problems retailers are currently facing is a shortage of products. Essential supplies can be found almost anywhere now, since many companies pivoted to start selling PPE products around May and June, but what about all of those holiday gifts? The COVID-19 Supply Chain Problem There is a looming supply chain problem […]
Holiday Shipping Struggles Retailers Will Face
There’s no question that retailers will face shipping challenges during the holiday season. With more consumers shopping online due to the pandemic, shipping carriers will be overwhelmed and deliveries will be delayed. This is a reality shoppers will not be happy with. To get an idea of how many consumers will be shopping online this […]
