Technology - June 2006
-- Home Accents Today, 6/27/2006 8:43:00 AM
Online sales to surpass $200B in '06
Whereoware launches Active Merchandiser
HomeandBeyond.com moves to new corporate headquarters
Kalico’s debuts new Web site
Distributor of coco, coir rugs launches online store
Online sales to surpass $200B in '06
After speeding past the $100-billion mark just three years ago, online sales will top $200 billion this year, according to The 2006 State of Retailing Online, the ninth annual Shop.org study conducted by Forrester Research Inc.
Based on a survey of 174 retailers, 2006 online sales (including travel) are expected to rise 20% to $211.4 billion. Sales excluding travel will reach $138 billion.
The largest non-travel categories this year will include computer hardware and software ($16.8 billion), autos and auto parts ($15.9 billion), and apparel, accessories, and footwear ($13.8 billion). Pet supplies and cosmetics and fragrances are expected to experience growth rates over 30%, more than any other categories.
According to the report, online sales last year rose 25% to $176.4 billion. Excluding travel, online retail sales rose 28% to $113.6 billion, representing 4.7% of total retail sales in 2005.
As customers increasingly use the Internet to compare prices, find gift ideas and research products, retailers rely on their Web sites not only to sell merchandise but also to increase sales at their stores. To create a true multichannel environment, retailers are employing a variety of different strategies. More than two-thirds of retailers have consistent pricing across channels (79%) and almost half (46%) allow their customers to buy and redeem gift cards online and in stores. Additionally, a notable number of companies give customers the ability to accrue loyalty program points across channels (33%) and offer in-store product information online (26%).
“By encouraging different channels to work together, instead of in isolation, everybody wins,” said Scott Silverman, executive director of Shop.org. “Retailers have been focusing on integrating their Web sites and stores to better serve their customers, which is paying off for companies in the form of higher sales.”
Retailers recognize the importance that the online channel plays in overall sales. In fact, retailers reported that 22% of offline sales are influenced by the Web. Web sites can also give retailers an opportunity to reach out to an entire new customer base, as more than one-third (38%) of online customers are new to a company’s entire business.
Retailers understand that some shoppers may be concerned about the safety and security of their personal information when shopping online. In response, companies continue to increase the security of their Web sites and are beginning to offer a variety of payment methods to online shoppers.
According to the report, 63% of retailers surveyed require card verification value (CVV) codes at checkout. For payment, 25% of retailers accept private-label cards, 12% offer third-party email payment options, 9% accept eChecks, and 7% offer third-party credit accounts.
Whereoware launches Active Merchandiser
Whereoware, the Gift and Home industry’s leading provider of web-based tools and marketing solutions introduces Active Merchandiser™, the latest in online merchandising.
“We’re committed to finding new ways for our clients to better merchandise and sell online,” says Eric Dean, president of Whereoware. “Companies already have print catalogs that do a great job of showcasing their collections. We take these print catalogs and use Active Merchandiser™ to combine an always current source of information with the same look and feel as their print catalog.”
Active Merchandiser, Whereoware’s latest CatalogLive! module, allows companies to publish their print catalogs online or create targeted mini-catalogs using dynamic publishing tools. Using these engaging online catalogs, companies can launch dozens of specialized marketing campaigns throughout the year to promote closeouts, hot buys, seasonal buys or offerings targeted at new channels. Active Merchandiser features integrated real-time reporting with up to the minute page and product analytics; companies know exactly how many times and how frequently a catalog page is viewed and how frequently specific products are viewed and ordered.
For additional information, visit http://www.wowcataloglive.com/ or contact Whereoware LLC, 1175 Herndon Parkway, Suite 500, Herndon, VA 20170, phone 877-521-7448; fax 703-889-1218.
HomeandBeyond.com moves to new corporate headquarters
HomeandBeyond.com (http://www.homeandbeyond.com/), an online home shopping site, officially names Edison, N.J. as the home for its new corporate headquarters. The new Edison facility effectively consolidates Home&Beyond’s three New York branches into one central location. This move was a strategic business decision aimed at reducing corporate overhead and allowing for more effective crosstalk between different operational branches.
In order to properly equip the Edison distribution center, HomeandBeyond teamed with Century Conveyor to deploy a robust pick/pack system that would streamline the order fulfillment process. The move to Edison marks the first step in HomeandBeyond’s business plan to strategically open several distribution center locations over the next three years.
“With Q1 sales up over 300%, the move to Edison was a logical next step for Home&Beyond,” said Joseph Cohen, founder and CEO. “Now that our separate branches are housed under one roof, we can better realize our vision of dominating the e-retailing sector in home shopping.”
Home&Beyond has also announced plans for an upcoming national marketing campaign in order to promote site awareness and brand its identity as the definitive source for all home goods.
Kalicos.com, a home lighting, furniture and accessories retailer, has launched a new Web site that includes informative and educational articles on the art of home decorating.
“We wanted to offer our customers more than just top quality merchandise,” said Linda Kennedy, owner of Kalicos.com. “Our Web site provides our visitors with pertinent information about our products, as well as general home decorating guides, to enable them to make informed decisions about their home decor purchases, and avoid costly mistakes. For instance, some consumers may not realize that the height of the new reading lamp they want to buy, as well as the depth and slope of the lampshade, will have a direct impact on whether or not they will be happy with their purchase. Our customers shouldn’t have to do their own research before making a purchase. It’s our job as professionals to offer this as a free service.”
Current articles include: How to Get Started, Decorating Tips & Ideas, My Foyer Needs Help, The Importance of Balance, Selecting the Right Lighting, and Leather Care and Cleaning. A free monthly newsletter that offers current decorating trends, ideas, suggestions and tips is made available to subscribers.
For additional information on Kalico’s.com or for a free copy of their decorating tips and advice, visit http://www.kalicos.com/.
Distributor of coco, coir rugs launches online store
Cocomats N More has launched its first virtual store at http://www.cocomatsnmore.com/.
Coir is the fiber extracted from the outer husks of coconuts and thus you will still hear it referred to as “coco mats” or “coconut matting.” Coir weaving is a centuries old craft with the vast majority of the world's production based in Kerala, India.
Coir products are 100% natural. Coir carpeting is hardwearing, attractive, warm underfoot, sound insulating, mothproof and rot and fungi resistant, flame retardant, anti-static, and with regular treatment far more easily kept clean than its detractors would suggest. Coir fiber is naturally hygroscopic, breathing in and giving out atmosphere moisture, thus helping to maintain an equable humidity in the home.
Coir mats possess great absorbency, excellent scraping properties and come in a variety of stock sizes, colors, and designs.
Coco Mats N More is an online store where you can purchase a variety of coco and coir products. The prices of the products include free shipping on all products anywhere in the continental United States.
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