Amazon has lifted its policy of price restrictions on Marketplace sellers after official scrutiny in both the United Kingdom and Germany.
The company said it will no longer require third-parter traders to guarantee the lowest prices on its site. Until now they have been contractually restricted from offering lower prices elsewhere but the blanket change in policy came into force across the EU yesterday.
In what appears to be a bit of light-touch policing of 'potentially anti-competitive' practices, the UK inquiry into the policy is expected to close.
The German authorities said they would wait to see whether the policy was unequivocally withdrawn before making a final decision to close the case.
While the cases only concern Amazon’s policies within the EU it is understood that it still operates the same restrictions on sellers in the US.
The OFT said it has been concerned that Amazon's policies 'may raise online platform fees, curtail the entry of potential entrants, and directly affect the prices which sellers set on platforms - including their own websites - resulting in higher prices to consumers'.
The UK's Office of Fair Trading and the Federal Cartel Office in Germany have been investigating the situation following 'numerous complaints'. The OFT was examining how restrictive the practice was and whether it would affect prices third party sellers could charge on their own web sites.
'As Amazon operates one of the UK’s biggest ecommerce sites, the pricing on its website can have a wide impact on online prices offered to customers elsewhere. We welcome Amazon’s decision to end its Marketplace price parity across the European Union,' said a spokesman for the OFT.
'We are pleased the sellers are completely free to set their prices as they wish as this encourages price competition and ensures consumers can get the best possible deals. The OFT recommends that other companies operating similar policies review them carefully. Businesses concerned that they are being prevented from setting their own prices should not hesitate to contact the OFT,' the spokesman said.
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Friday, 30 August 2013
Luxury Fashion Hub Farfetch Poaches Former Vogue Director As Marketing Guru
Farfetch, the independent retailer's ecommerce platform, has appointed a new chief marketing officer to spearhead its global PR just weeks after it opened its New York office.
Stephanie Horton was previously head of global communications at luxury fashion site Shopbop.com and, prior to that, creative services director at Vogue for Condé Nast Americas. She has also worked as director of marketing at the New York Times.
The appointment follows the recruitment in June of Gabrielle de Papp, former vice president of corporate public relations at Neiman Marcus, as senior vice president of US brand development, and Roopal Patel on the site's US advisory board.
London-based Farfetch raised $20 million from Condé Nast International in March. It links more than 250 boutiques in nearly 20 countries, including 60 in the US, and about 105,000 products.
Farfetch chief executive José Neves said: 'Stephanie’s expertise merges business with creativity. She is renowned for her ability to make big ideas a reality.'
Horton said: 'It’s such a uniquely positioned brand, and there is endless opportunity to create compelling content to engage customers in completely new ways. I look forward to working with the talented team at Farfetch, and being a part of its’ evolution into a global business.'
Stephanie Horton was previously head of global communications at luxury fashion site Shopbop.com and, prior to that, creative services director at Vogue for Condé Nast Americas. She has also worked as director of marketing at the New York Times.
The appointment follows the recruitment in June of Gabrielle de Papp, former vice president of corporate public relations at Neiman Marcus, as senior vice president of US brand development, and Roopal Patel on the site's US advisory board.
London-based Farfetch raised $20 million from Condé Nast International in March. It links more than 250 boutiques in nearly 20 countries, including 60 in the US, and about 105,000 products.
Farfetch chief executive José Neves said: 'Stephanie’s expertise merges business with creativity. She is renowned for her ability to make big ideas a reality.'
Horton said: 'It’s such a uniquely positioned brand, and there is endless opportunity to create compelling content to engage customers in completely new ways. I look forward to working with the talented team at Farfetch, and being a part of its’ evolution into a global business.'
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Amazon Taps Further Into Mobile Market By Muscling Onto Developers Apps
Amazon has launched a scheme to pay commission when app developers agree to link its products and site on smart phones.
The scheme, a long time coming, offers developers a 6 per cent commission from sales generated. It operates in a similar way to that already well established in schemes through PC websites which can generate commission by placing links to products or through banner ads.
The programme illustrates the explosion of the smart phone market and how ecommerce players, even including Amazon, have been slow to react.
Forrester Research analyst Sucharita Mulpuru told the Financial Times she was surprised Amazon had taken so long to launch the scheme and that it could have done so 'two or three years' ago.
She said the arrangement had been in place for standard websites since the 1990s: 'How hard is it to take what you’re already doing and apply it to apps, which are the fastest-growing way people are accessing content?'
The app is most likely to work with apps that promote themes that match with products available on Amazon - such as music, books or fitness sites.
The scheme is for apps using Google's Android system that will include its Kindle Fire. Amazon is also understood to be developing its own Smartphone.
The scheme, a long time coming, offers developers a 6 per cent commission from sales generated. It operates in a similar way to that already well established in schemes through PC websites which can generate commission by placing links to products or through banner ads.
The programme illustrates the explosion of the smart phone market and how ecommerce players, even including Amazon, have been slow to react.
Forrester Research analyst Sucharita Mulpuru told the Financial Times she was surprised Amazon had taken so long to launch the scheme and that it could have done so 'two or three years' ago.
She said the arrangement had been in place for standard websites since the 1990s: 'How hard is it to take what you’re already doing and apply it to apps, which are the fastest-growing way people are accessing content?'
The app is most likely to work with apps that promote themes that match with products available on Amazon - such as music, books or fitness sites.
The scheme is for apps using Google's Android system that will include its Kindle Fire. Amazon is also understood to be developing its own Smartphone.
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
River Island Debuts In Hong Kong As It Heads East
Fashion retailer River Island is poised to launch online in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia with fashion and beauty web retailer Zalora.
The range, specifically chosen to appeal to Asian customers, will appear on Zalora's sites from September 13. River Island closed its single franchise store in Singapore two years ago and the latest strategy represents a lower cost route to the fast-growing Asian territory.
Its products will appear on Zalora's Hong Kong and Malaysia sites for the first time.
Marketing director Josie Roscop said ecommerce sites were making it 'easier to reach out' to the Far East's 500 million shoppers.
The range, specifically chosen to appeal to Asian customers, will appear on Zalora's sites from September 13. River Island closed its single franchise store in Singapore two years ago and the latest strategy represents a lower cost route to the fast-growing Asian territory.
Its products will appear on Zalora's Hong Kong and Malaysia sites for the first time.
Marketing director Josie Roscop said ecommerce sites were making it 'easier to reach out' to the Far East's 500 million shoppers.
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Amazon Suffers Second Outage In A Week - Just a Spanner In The Works Or A Conspiracy?
We have to admit that so many outages recently did have us pondering the possible conspiracy theories - twitching to reach for the old tin-foil hat.
Ebay's down-time seemed simple and believable enough - it said maintenance had over-run. It happens. But the Nasdaq outage last week seemed all the more sinister with questions still being posed.
According to Reuters the Nasdaq and NYSE Euronext operators, who suffered similar problems when systems broke down for around three hours, have been unable to agree on a full explanation. In what is almost certainly an unrelated event, Amazon suffered its second outage in a week on Sunday at lunch-time, Pacific Time, for about an hour.
The problem was based on a hardware failure at the firm's US-East data centre in North Virginia which led to spiraling problems at a host of online services including Instagram, Vine, AirBnB and mobile magazine app Flipboard.
The glitches with a single networking device - known as a 'grey' partial failure - resulted in data loss and is still the subject of analysis within the firm and lingering questions from outside.
But Business Week suggested that, rather than analysing the specifics, a broader question needs to be asked about over-reliance on geographically-specific services from firms that preach that such practices are now redundant.
In the age of the Web and the Cloud, why are firms so evidently reliant on single cloud providers, single systems and single data centres. It's certainly not what hi-tech firms would advise of their customers - as my several portable storage devices and my back-up laptop will testify.
While it would be fascinating to find out the root cause of Ebay's and Amazon's problems, we suspect we will be given fairly glib and technologically baffling responses rather than something more digestible (such as an engineer left a spanner in the core server or we have been under persistent attack from overseas-government funded hackers).
The Nasdaq situation mat be more interesting to follow since the Securities and Exchange Commission has, rather obviously, taken an interest and is unlikely to be fobbed-off with platitudes. It may help shed light on wider issues for those of us holding data or relying on others to do so.
Ebay's down-time seemed simple and believable enough - it said maintenance had over-run. It happens. But the Nasdaq outage last week seemed all the more sinister with questions still being posed.
According to Reuters the Nasdaq and NYSE Euronext operators, who suffered similar problems when systems broke down for around three hours, have been unable to agree on a full explanation. In what is almost certainly an unrelated event, Amazon suffered its second outage in a week on Sunday at lunch-time, Pacific Time, for about an hour.
The problem was based on a hardware failure at the firm's US-East data centre in North Virginia which led to spiraling problems at a host of online services including Instagram, Vine, AirBnB and mobile magazine app Flipboard.
The glitches with a single networking device - known as a 'grey' partial failure - resulted in data loss and is still the subject of analysis within the firm and lingering questions from outside.
But Business Week suggested that, rather than analysing the specifics, a broader question needs to be asked about over-reliance on geographically-specific services from firms that preach that such practices are now redundant.
In the age of the Web and the Cloud, why are firms so evidently reliant on single cloud providers, single systems and single data centres. It's certainly not what hi-tech firms would advise of their customers - as my several portable storage devices and my back-up laptop will testify.
While it would be fascinating to find out the root cause of Ebay's and Amazon's problems, we suspect we will be given fairly glib and technologically baffling responses rather than something more digestible (such as an engineer left a spanner in the core server or we have been under persistent attack from overseas-government funded hackers).
The Nasdaq situation mat be more interesting to follow since the Securities and Exchange Commission has, rather obviously, taken an interest and is unlikely to be fobbed-off with platitudes. It may help shed light on wider issues for those of us holding data or relying on others to do so.
Monday, 26 August 2013
Boohoo Dresses Up For Success With IPO Plans
UPDATE: See our review of the Boohoo.com business, out on Wednesday November 13
The founders of Boohoo.com look like they're dressing up the online fashion phenomenon to woo future investors.
Reports over the weekend suggest the retailer is mulling a listing on the London Stock Exchange to free up cash - and, presumably, pay the two founders, Mahmud Kamani and Carol Cane, some sort of dividend.
The report in the Independent on Sunday followed initial rumours we reported in June that the firm was looking at strategic options that include a sale of the business and has hired private equity firm Zeus to do so. Zeus is also understood to be an investor in Boohoo.
Any listing is likely to be on the Aim market as its larger rival Asos did previously and following the successful and smooth listing of bricks and mortar off-license Bargain Booze, listed as Conviviality Retail last month.
Asos is still listed on Aim but with a valuation of £4 billion has long since outgrown the list and is understood to be laying down plans to shift to the main market - and which probably means it is destined for the FTSE 100.
Manchester-based Boohoo is relatively small by comparison but probably the second biggest independently-owned pureplay, single-destination fashion retailer (we hope that definition is worded well enough to exclude Shop Direct's brands but we are happy to be corrected on other sites we have missed!).
Turnover in the 12 months to 29 February 2012 increased 18.5 per cent to £29 million (the most recently available accounts for Boohoo - registered as Wasabi Frog Limited at Companies House). Pre-tax profit increased 79 per cent to £248,790.
The accounts also say the number of employees doubled in the year to 314. Last week the company said it now has 600 and plans to add another 50 in the coming months.
The founders of Boohoo.com look like they're dressing up the online fashion phenomenon to woo future investors.
Reports over the weekend suggest the retailer is mulling a listing on the London Stock Exchange to free up cash - and, presumably, pay the two founders, Mahmud Kamani and Carol Cane, some sort of dividend.
The report in the Independent on Sunday followed initial rumours we reported in June that the firm was looking at strategic options that include a sale of the business and has hired private equity firm Zeus to do so. Zeus is also understood to be an investor in Boohoo.
Any listing is likely to be on the Aim market as its larger rival Asos did previously and following the successful and smooth listing of bricks and mortar off-license Bargain Booze, listed as Conviviality Retail last month.
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| Boohoo Partywear |
Manchester-based Boohoo is relatively small by comparison but probably the second biggest independently-owned pureplay, single-destination fashion retailer (we hope that definition is worded well enough to exclude Shop Direct's brands but we are happy to be corrected on other sites we have missed!).
Turnover in the 12 months to 29 February 2012 increased 18.5 per cent to £29 million (the most recently available accounts for Boohoo - registered as Wasabi Frog Limited at Companies House). Pre-tax profit increased 79 per cent to £248,790.
The accounts also say the number of employees doubled in the year to 314. Last week the company said it now has 600 and plans to add another 50 in the coming months.
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Co-op Delivers Online Grocery Plan In Time For Christmas
The Co-op supermarket plans to launch an online grocery delivery service as it seeks to draw a line under troubles at its banking arm and to catch up with rivals.
The supermarket will begin the first of four trials before Christmas as it seeks to size up the best strategy. Food boss Steve Murrells told Retail Week he wanted to rediscover the chain’s trading ‘mojo’.
The magazine said the grocer is under pressure from competitors but has put off the decision for years because its basket size is much smaller than the larger chains at just £6.
Murrells told the Guardian: 'We recognise that the online grocery market is a rapidly growing channel which provides a significant opportunity for us as, primarily, a convenience store retailer.'
The online market accounts for 3.4 per cent of the £163.2 billion grocery market (about £5.5 billion although its is estimated by others to exceed £6 billion).
However, some analysts have also complained that grocery delivery operations do not make any money and could even be loss making if all the costs are taken into account.
But Murrells told Retail Week: 'We need to get match fit if we are going to start to compete again. For the last few years we had lost our mojo and we needed clear leadership and direction.'
Murrells said the Co-op has a market share of about 6.6 per cent.
The supermarket will begin the first of four trials before Christmas as it seeks to size up the best strategy. Food boss Steve Murrells told Retail Week he wanted to rediscover the chain’s trading ‘mojo’.
The magazine said the grocer is under pressure from competitors but has put off the decision for years because its basket size is much smaller than the larger chains at just £6.
Murrells told the Guardian: 'We recognise that the online grocery market is a rapidly growing channel which provides a significant opportunity for us as, primarily, a convenience store retailer.'
The online market accounts for 3.4 per cent of the £163.2 billion grocery market (about £5.5 billion although its is estimated by others to exceed £6 billion).
However, some analysts have also complained that grocery delivery operations do not make any money and could even be loss making if all the costs are taken into account.
But Murrells told Retail Week: 'We need to get match fit if we are going to start to compete again. For the last few years we had lost our mojo and we needed clear leadership and direction.'
Murrells said the Co-op has a market share of about 6.6 per cent.
Naked Wines Toasts $10 Million Funding To Invest In Winemakers And Growth
Online wine store Naked Wines has raised $10 million (£6.4 million) from one of its original shareholders to invest in winemakers and improve its supply of products.
In a statement from the Norwich-based firm - interestingly released in California rather than Britain - the company said the third round funding came from wine selling group WIV Wein International AG.
The company said the money would help support growth in Australia and the US as it seeks to capitalise on a rise in turnover to more than $60 million last year.
The business model relies on a stream of income from wine lovers that sign up to a £40 monthly subscription and receive big discounts in return. There are about 150,000 of its 'Angels' at the moment after launching in 2008 - about a third of whom live in Australia and the US.
Founder and chief executive Rowan Gormley, who also launched Virgin Wines, said: 'We're in business to make rich people's wines affordable to normal people. By funding winemakers, so that they can focus on making great wine, rather than selling it, we do just that.'
'WIV's latest investment will really help us step up the quality of our wines in a way that our customers can taste,' he said.
The firm ships more than 10 million bottles of wine a year and has invested over $40 million in more than 130 winemakers in four continents. It made a $1.5 million profit last year which it distributed among staff for 'working their nuts off'.
In a statement from the Norwich-based firm - interestingly released in California rather than Britain - the company said the third round funding came from wine selling group WIV Wein International AG.
The company said the money would help support growth in Australia and the US as it seeks to capitalise on a rise in turnover to more than $60 million last year.
The business model relies on a stream of income from wine lovers that sign up to a £40 monthly subscription and receive big discounts in return. There are about 150,000 of its 'Angels' at the moment after launching in 2008 - about a third of whom live in Australia and the US.
Founder and chief executive Rowan Gormley, who also launched Virgin Wines, said: 'We're in business to make rich people's wines affordable to normal people. By funding winemakers, so that they can focus on making great wine, rather than selling it, we do just that.'
'WIV's latest investment will really help us step up the quality of our wines in a way that our customers can taste,' he said.
The firm ships more than 10 million bottles of wine a year and has invested over $40 million in more than 130 winemakers in four continents. It made a $1.5 million profit last year which it distributed among staff for 'working their nuts off'.
Saturday, 24 August 2013
Boohoo Recruits 50 Full-Time Staff As Global Expansion Heats Up
UPDATE: See our review of the Boohoo.com business, out on Wednesday November 13
Fashion website Boohoo wants to recruit 50 staff over the next few months as it prepares for further expansion into the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The new recruits will take staff numbers to 650 based at its Manchester headquarters - based in the city’s Northern Quarter - in distribution at its Burnley warehouse and as it prepares for global growth.
The positions will include marketing, distribution and ecommerce positions. The business, led by chief executive Mahmud Kamani, has seen ‘exponential growth’ since its international growth drive last year, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Head of human resources Kathy Allison told the newspaper: ‘It is a really exciting time for the company. In 2012, we recruited and inducted over 130 permanent team members to the Boohoo family. We have been in business for six years and started with a mere four employees. Today we employ over 600 permanent and temporary staff.’
The company has shoppers in more than 100 European countries, has plans to launch into other European markets ‘imminently’ and has already launched into menswear this year.
Fashion website Boohoo wants to recruit 50 staff over the next few months as it prepares for further expansion into the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The new recruits will take staff numbers to 650 based at its Manchester headquarters - based in the city’s Northern Quarter - in distribution at its Burnley warehouse and as it prepares for global growth.
The positions will include marketing, distribution and ecommerce positions. The business, led by chief executive Mahmud Kamani, has seen ‘exponential growth’ since its international growth drive last year, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Head of human resources Kathy Allison told the newspaper: ‘It is a really exciting time for the company. In 2012, we recruited and inducted over 130 permanent team members to the Boohoo family. We have been in business for six years and started with a mere four employees. Today we employ over 600 permanent and temporary staff.’
The company has shoppers in more than 100 European countries, has plans to launch into other European markets ‘imminently’ and has already launched into menswear this year.
Fears M&S Online Modernisation Project Is ‘Slipping Behind Schedule’
There is mounting pressure from within Marks & Spencer to ‘step up’ improvements at its crucial Castle Donnington warehouse, according to an internal document leaked to the Guardian newspaper suggests .
The warehouse will deliver all the firm’s online stock when Marks & Spencer switches from relying on Amazon’s UK systems next year. By then it will be handling 1 million items a day both to shop shelves and directly to homes.
An internal memo from supply chain director Dirk Lembregts, which the newspaper said it had seen, said the business needed ‘increased leadership focus’ at the Castle Donnington facility and ‘to step up the speed and capacity of our problem solving capability’ at the site.
Category managers are understood to have raised concerns about the speed with which their stock has been moving through the facility. According to the Guardian the problems in recent weeks ‘had led to queues of lorries stocked up at the side waiting to unload.’
Tim Owrid, head of Marks & Spencer’s general merchandise strategic network, will now focus on the ramp-up of the operation as a result of the concerns, the Guardian said.
Marks & Spencer said it did not ‘recognise that situation’ and some rivals said it was only experiencing usual teething problems when testing and implementing such a complex facility.
The warehouse will deliver all the firm’s online stock when Marks & Spencer switches from relying on Amazon’s UK systems next year. By then it will be handling 1 million items a day both to shop shelves and directly to homes.
An internal memo from supply chain director Dirk Lembregts, which the newspaper said it had seen, said the business needed ‘increased leadership focus’ at the Castle Donnington facility and ‘to step up the speed and capacity of our problem solving capability’ at the site.
Category managers are understood to have raised concerns about the speed with which their stock has been moving through the facility. According to the Guardian the problems in recent weeks ‘had led to queues of lorries stocked up at the side waiting to unload.’
Tim Owrid, head of Marks & Spencer’s general merchandise strategic network, will now focus on the ramp-up of the operation as a result of the concerns, the Guardian said.
Marks & Spencer said it did not ‘recognise that situation’ and some rivals said it was only experiencing usual teething problems when testing and implementing such a complex facility.
Friday, 23 August 2013
Waitrose Considers Tracking Online Customers With GPS
It sounds like all those ready-to-collect shopping bags at the back of the store are beginning to get in the way.
Supermarket Waitrose is apparently considering a system for tracking click-and-collect customers approaching stores so it can prepare orders more efficiently. A GPS-enabled smartphone app would on a shopper’s phone would trigger an alert in store and mean that Waitrose could begin preparing the order.
Waitrose told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that there were no immediate plans to test the technology but that it was one of a number of a number of ideas being tested in a bid to improve customer service.
The supermarket allows customers to order and collect groceries at about 160 stores and is testing a number of ideas to make online ordering more tailored to customer needs. In February it launched a drive-through service at a handful of stores and is also testing refrigerated click and collect lockers with staff.
'We are always looking at ways to personalise the shopping experience when a customer places an online order. This could include the delivery of real time updates and the recognition of when a customer comes within the vicinity of one of our shops,' a Waitrose spokeswoman told the Telegraph.
Supermarket Waitrose is apparently considering a system for tracking click-and-collect customers approaching stores so it can prepare orders more efficiently. A GPS-enabled smartphone app would on a shopper’s phone would trigger an alert in store and mean that Waitrose could begin preparing the order.
Waitrose told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that there were no immediate plans to test the technology but that it was one of a number of a number of ideas being tested in a bid to improve customer service.
The supermarket allows customers to order and collect groceries at about 160 stores and is testing a number of ideas to make online ordering more tailored to customer needs. In February it launched a drive-through service at a handful of stores and is also testing refrigerated click and collect lockers with staff.
'We are always looking at ways to personalise the shopping experience when a customer places an online order. This could include the delivery of real time updates and the recognition of when a customer comes within the vicinity of one of our shops,' a Waitrose spokeswoman told the Telegraph.
Clarks Signs Up Visa's V.me Digital Wallet
Shoe retailer Clarks has signed up to Visa’s V.me digital wallet as it seeks to extend the number of ways customers can pay for its products.
Visa plans to make the service available across Europe initially with the UK and Spain launching at the end of this year. Other markets will follow.
Visa said the service will allow customers to make ‘faster, easier and more secure’ payments.
‘The retail community is incredibly important to us and we've designed V.me by Visa to improve sales for retailers and improve the customer experience. V.me by Visa is fully optimised for mobile e-commerce, is easy to use and gives shoppers confidence and peace of mind when they pay online because we shield their card details,’ said Duncan Olby, senior vice-president at Visa Europe.
A spokesman for Clarks, which has over 5000 stores in the UK and Ireland and sells 50 million pairs of shoes every year, said: ‘At Clarks we are all about giving the customer choice which is why we are excited to be able to start offering them V.me by Visa, a new payment method supported by a well-known and trusted brand – Visa. This new payment method will give our customers more choice about how they want to pay online, making it more convenient, simple and safe.'
Visa plans to make the service available across Europe initially with the UK and Spain launching at the end of this year. Other markets will follow.
Visa said the service will allow customers to make ‘faster, easier and more secure’ payments.
‘The retail community is incredibly important to us and we've designed V.me by Visa to improve sales for retailers and improve the customer experience. V.me by Visa is fully optimised for mobile e-commerce, is easy to use and gives shoppers confidence and peace of mind when they pay online because we shield their card details,’ said Duncan Olby, senior vice-president at Visa Europe.
A spokesman for Clarks, which has over 5000 stores in the UK and Ireland and sells 50 million pairs of shoes every year, said: ‘At Clarks we are all about giving the customer choice which is why we are excited to be able to start offering them V.me by Visa, a new payment method supported by a well-known and trusted brand – Visa. This new payment method will give our customers more choice about how they want to pay online, making it more convenient, simple and safe.'
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Retailers Are Expecting Too Much From Online This Festive Season, Survey Says
We on the site find it difficult to imagine that this won't be the biggest internet Christmas by a long and happy margin - particularly with the rapidly growing demand for clothing online.
But there is always someone to cast a shadow over those predictions.
According to comparative research commissioned by Peerius the gulf between retailers' expectations and consumer plans is wider than we thought.
The survey of 25 online retailers indicates that 88 per cent expect sales to grow by 20 per cent or more and 25 per cent expect sales to grow by at least 50 per cent. But a sample of 2,000 adults suggests that 66 per cent of consumers expect to spend the same as last year and 16 per cent expect to spend less.
Only 17 per cent expect to spend more. Of those, the average increase in spending is 26 per cent more than last year.
The survey clearly strikes a note of caution but it seems odd to us given that online sales are tracking a good 10 -15 per cent above last year. More in some categories such as clothing.
But there is always someone to cast a shadow over those predictions.
According to comparative research commissioned by Peerius the gulf between retailers' expectations and consumer plans is wider than we thought.
The survey of 25 online retailers indicates that 88 per cent expect sales to grow by 20 per cent or more and 25 per cent expect sales to grow by at least 50 per cent. But a sample of 2,000 adults suggests that 66 per cent of consumers expect to spend the same as last year and 16 per cent expect to spend less.
Only 17 per cent expect to spend more. Of those, the average increase in spending is 26 per cent more than last year.
The survey clearly strikes a note of caution but it seems odd to us given that online sales are tracking a good 10 -15 per cent above last year. More in some categories such as clothing.
Ocado Offers Gousto Dinner Kits For Time-Poor Internet Shoppers
Even more time poor than you were when you first started using food delivery firms like Ocado?
Your worries are over - as long as you have time to wait in for the delivery and cook the meal, that is. Ocado has teamed up with dinner kit provider Gousto to send shoppers boxes containing not just recipe cards, but all the raw ingredients to make the meal.
Gousto has been delivering to the UK since last year using a courier service. The kits are pre-measured and with natural ingredients.
Now Ocado will start selling two of its recipes including one three-meal kit for two people at £42 and another three-meal kit for four people at £67. Recipes vary according to the time of year.
‘We founded Ocado to make our customers’ lives easier, so being the first supermarket to add the Gousto dinner kits to our range is a natural move. Gousto offers the next step in convenience and managing the family’s meals without compensating on the highest quality and nutrition,’ said Ocado’s co-founder Jason Gissing.
Gousto’s co-owner Timo Schmidt said the firm’s goal was to make it ‘easy to cook at home with natural ingredients’.
Tags: Gousto recipe kits, Gusto, Gusto Dinner Kits, Gusto partners with Ocado.
Your worries are over - as long as you have time to wait in for the delivery and cook the meal, that is. Ocado has teamed up with dinner kit provider Gousto to send shoppers boxes containing not just recipe cards, but all the raw ingredients to make the meal.
Gousto has been delivering to the UK since last year using a courier service. The kits are pre-measured and with natural ingredients.
Now Ocado will start selling two of its recipes including one three-meal kit for two people at £42 and another three-meal kit for four people at £67. Recipes vary according to the time of year.
‘We founded Ocado to make our customers’ lives easier, so being the first supermarket to add the Gousto dinner kits to our range is a natural move. Gousto offers the next step in convenience and managing the family’s meals without compensating on the highest quality and nutrition,’ said Ocado’s co-founder Jason Gissing.
Gousto’s co-owner Timo Schmidt said the firm’s goal was to make it ‘easy to cook at home with natural ingredients’.
Tags: Gousto recipe kits, Gusto, Gusto Dinner Kits, Gusto partners with Ocado.
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Uniqlo Launches First UK Kids Ranges Online First
Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo has launched its first full kids and baby ranges for the UK online with stores to begin selling the products later this week.
The firm said it is 'the first time Uniqlo has introduced kids wear across the UK business' catering for ages 0-12 years.A limited collection was launched at Bluewater last December for ages 3-11.
The initial launch this week includes just one store, Westfield in Stratford, but which will only begin selling the baby range ahead of other stores.
The pieces have been adapted 'to fit a kid's lifestyle' including hook loops on jackets to enable hanging in cloakrooms.
The firm said it is 'the first time Uniqlo has introduced kids wear across the UK business' catering for ages 0-12 years.A limited collection was launched at Bluewater last December for ages 3-11.
The initial launch this week includes just one store, Westfield in Stratford, but which will only begin selling the baby range ahead of other stores.
The pieces have been adapted 'to fit a kid's lifestyle' including hook loops on jackets to enable hanging in cloakrooms.
Tuesday, 20 August 2013
Marks & Spencer's Online Warehouse Hit By 'Worrying' Problems That Could Even Affect Christmas Delivery
Marks & Spencer's much feted new online warehouse in Castle Donnington was been hit by problems that could force the firm to halt stock moving through the centre.
Sky News said 'glitches' at the 900,000 square foot warehouse are believed to be so worrying that directors have expressed concerns about letting stock pass through the warehouse.
Allowing it to continue to operate could affect availability in areas serviced by the warehouse, the report said.
The warehouse is already shipping limited amounts of general merchandise - mainly clothing - for online delivery and to stores.
The site was launched in May as one of three gigantic warehouses planned to replaced Marks & Spencer's aging delivery network of 110 centres across stores and online.
The report said the glitches could be so serious they may force M&S to use back-up plans in the run up to Christmas.
M&S said it did not comment on 'rumour and speculation' but added that operations at the new warehouse 'will build over a long period of of time to protect customer service'.
'Nothing has changed and it is early days on-site as we follow the ramp-up plan,' it added.
M&S launched a new line-up of models for its autumn and Christmas campaign this weekend including pop star Ellie Goulding, Tracey Emin and Helen Mirren.
Sky News said 'glitches' at the 900,000 square foot warehouse are believed to be so worrying that directors have expressed concerns about letting stock pass through the warehouse.
Allowing it to continue to operate could affect availability in areas serviced by the warehouse, the report said.
The warehouse is already shipping limited amounts of general merchandise - mainly clothing - for online delivery and to stores.
The site was launched in May as one of three gigantic warehouses planned to replaced Marks & Spencer's aging delivery network of 110 centres across stores and online.
The report said the glitches could be so serious they may force M&S to use back-up plans in the run up to Christmas.
M&S said it did not comment on 'rumour and speculation' but added that operations at the new warehouse 'will build over a long period of of time to protect customer service'.
'Nothing has changed and it is early days on-site as we follow the ramp-up plan,' it added.
M&S launched a new line-up of models for its autumn and Christmas campaign this weekend including pop star Ellie Goulding, Tracey Emin and Helen Mirren.
Monday, 19 August 2013
'1 Hour' Grocery Delivery Launched In London By Start-up Pocket Shop
London is finally catching up with the US after a super-fast grocery delivery service was launched promising deliveries within the hour.
Pocket Shop is an Instacart-style delivery website for the chronically time strapped and employs a network of local pickers to pop down to Sainsbury's or Tesco for you. M&S and Waitrose services are currently being added.
The exact choice of service depends on your postcode because your avatar shopper (the Financial Times says there are 20 around the capital) heads, on foot, down to the nearby store before heading to your home.
The start-up was founded last November and supported by a £300,000 investment from London-based Forward Labs. Techcrunch reported that the service was initially trialed in North London. It delivered 3,500 items during a month long test in Camden. The Pocket Shop website says it now serves 'the whole of London' but asks customers to enter their post codes to ensure they are included.
A one-hour delivery costs £6.50 with slightly cheaper two-hour slot at £5.50 and three hour at £5.10. Pocket Shop admits that it charges a cut on top of supermarket prices but says prices are comparable with convenience store prices. Minimum orders are £20 plus the service cost.
It plans to offer free delivery in future on orders over a certain amount and will also incorporate supermarket 'offers,' such as two-for-ones. Techcrunch also reports that it asks staff to select the best fruit and vegetables and not battered, bruised or unripe products.
The FT newspaper says the system uses 'a GPS-based algorithm similar to those used by taxi-ordering smartphone apps' to direct orders and alert their on-foot buyers.
A similar service Instacart was founded in San Francisco last year and is backed by $10.8 million of equity funding.
Pocket Shop founder Hemel Kuntawala describes the target market as the 'hard core' of supermarket customers who order a weekly online shop but then need to top-up midweek.
However, the FT quoted the IMRG's policy officer Andrew McClelland arguing that he thought demand would be 'light'.
Pocket Shop is an Instacart-style delivery website for the chronically time strapped and employs a network of local pickers to pop down to Sainsbury's or Tesco for you. M&S and Waitrose services are currently being added.
The exact choice of service depends on your postcode because your avatar shopper (the Financial Times says there are 20 around the capital) heads, on foot, down to the nearby store before heading to your home.
The start-up was founded last November and supported by a £300,000 investment from London-based Forward Labs. Techcrunch reported that the service was initially trialed in North London. It delivered 3,500 items during a month long test in Camden. The Pocket Shop website says it now serves 'the whole of London' but asks customers to enter their post codes to ensure they are included.
A one-hour delivery costs £6.50 with slightly cheaper two-hour slot at £5.50 and three hour at £5.10. Pocket Shop admits that it charges a cut on top of supermarket prices but says prices are comparable with convenience store prices. Minimum orders are £20 plus the service cost.
It plans to offer free delivery in future on orders over a certain amount and will also incorporate supermarket 'offers,' such as two-for-ones. Techcrunch also reports that it asks staff to select the best fruit and vegetables and not battered, bruised or unripe products.
The FT newspaper says the system uses 'a GPS-based algorithm similar to those used by taxi-ordering smartphone apps' to direct orders and alert their on-foot buyers.
A similar service Instacart was founded in San Francisco last year and is backed by $10.8 million of equity funding.
Pocket Shop founder Hemel Kuntawala describes the target market as the 'hard core' of supermarket customers who order a weekly online shop but then need to top-up midweek.
However, the FT quoted the IMRG's policy officer Andrew McClelland arguing that he thought demand would be 'light'.
Online Tax Proposals Dismissed by Treasury
The Treasury has written to online retailers ruling out proposals by supermarkets for an online tax.
Exchequer secretary to the treasury David Gauke said in the letter he wanted to apply 'common principles' to the way businesses are taxes, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The letter, sent to six online retail chief executives last week, said that the Government does 'not favour a specific tax targeted at the online business sector'.
'The Government recognises that online businesses contribute to growth in the UK and supports continuing success in the sector. Many online business operate across international borders and it is therefore important to have international agreement on the principle of how multinational business, including online, are taxed,' it said.
The idea of a specific tax on online sales has been pushed by retailers in recent months including Sainsbury's, Morrisons and former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy.
However, the notion of such a tax was slammed by Next chief executive Lord Wolfson, a former adviser to the Treasury, as anti-competitive. The group of six online retailers, including Ocado and N Brown, wrote to the Government warning against an online sales tax arguing it would hamper growth in the sector.
The letter said: 'We favour an approach which aims to ensure common principle apply to all businesses whether operating online, from physical premises or with a combination. For this reason we do not favour a specific tax targeted at the online business sector although we aim to ensure that tax principles are developed which can be applied consistently across the economy.'
'This area is extremely complex; with large parts of the economy moving towards having some form of digital presence it is important to ensure fair competition between digital and non-digital businesses,' it said.
Exchequer secretary to the treasury David Gauke said in the letter he wanted to apply 'common principles' to the way businesses are taxes, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The letter, sent to six online retail chief executives last week, said that the Government does 'not favour a specific tax targeted at the online business sector'.
'The Government recognises that online businesses contribute to growth in the UK and supports continuing success in the sector. Many online business operate across international borders and it is therefore important to have international agreement on the principle of how multinational business, including online, are taxed,' it said.
The idea of a specific tax on online sales has been pushed by retailers in recent months including Sainsbury's, Morrisons and former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy.
However, the notion of such a tax was slammed by Next chief executive Lord Wolfson, a former adviser to the Treasury, as anti-competitive. The group of six online retailers, including Ocado and N Brown, wrote to the Government warning against an online sales tax arguing it would hamper growth in the sector.
The letter said: 'We favour an approach which aims to ensure common principle apply to all businesses whether operating online, from physical premises or with a combination. For this reason we do not favour a specific tax targeted at the online business sector although we aim to ensure that tax principles are developed which can be applied consistently across the economy.'
'This area is extremely complex; with large parts of the economy moving towards having some form of digital presence it is important to ensure fair competition between digital and non-digital businesses,' it said.
Sunday, 18 August 2013
Iceland Chain Sculpts Loyalty Card To Food Delivery Service
Frozen Food store Iceland plans to extend its Bonus loyalty scheme to its new e-ecommerce platform 'early next year'.
The integration will allow it to offer more targeted promotions through its fast-growing internet service. The development will allow promotions to be based on both in-store shopping habits and online, Mark Adams, a partner at Portaltech Reply, who designed and built the retailer's online platform, told the Grocer magazine.
The Bonus card currently offers coupons and access to competitions. But the new strategy would greatly enhance the data available and help promote the online service.
The 25-store trial began in may and will include half the 779 stores by the end of the year, according to the magazine.
The integration will allow it to offer more targeted promotions through its fast-growing internet service. The development will allow promotions to be based on both in-store shopping habits and online, Mark Adams, a partner at Portaltech Reply, who designed and built the retailer's online platform, told the Grocer magazine.
The Bonus card currently offers coupons and access to competitions. But the new strategy would greatly enhance the data available and help promote the online service.
The 25-store trial began in may and will include half the 779 stores by the end of the year, according to the magazine.
Tesco Plans Tablet Launch In TIme For Christmas - But Is It Enough To Fend Off Amazon and Apple
It looks like the tablet computer has reached the point of commodity. Supermarket Tesco plans to launch its own version to rival Apple, Samsung and Amazon before Christmas.
The iPad-style device will be pre-loaded with books, films and music and with ready installed apps for Tesco's grocery delivery service, banking products and its in-house film and music service Blinkbox.
The Sunday Times said the device would be a 'high quality' and similar the the Amazon's Kindle Fire which costs £130, according to a source. The firm wants to retaliate against Amazon and Apple which have dominated the books, music and DVD market for many years.
The device will also be seen as a way to better ensure shopper loyalty as users, at least initially, are more likely to use Tesco's services.
However, with shopper loyalty at an all time low - driven partly by the internet and the use of tablet computers - we are not convinced this will be the key.
We think the key to loyalty will come from innovative products - of which this may be one - and service that is not being offered by other supermarkets, online retailers and the high street.
At least Tesco - with its much-praised new Watford store as a template for the future - is doing something about it. But finding a point of difference for today's retail giants will be all the more difficult in the coming years.
The iPad-style device will be pre-loaded with books, films and music and with ready installed apps for Tesco's grocery delivery service, banking products and its in-house film and music service Blinkbox.
The Sunday Times said the device would be a 'high quality' and similar the the Amazon's Kindle Fire which costs £130, according to a source. The firm wants to retaliate against Amazon and Apple which have dominated the books, music and DVD market for many years.
The device will also be seen as a way to better ensure shopper loyalty as users, at least initially, are more likely to use Tesco's services.
However, with shopper loyalty at an all time low - driven partly by the internet and the use of tablet computers - we are not convinced this will be the key.
We think the key to loyalty will come from innovative products - of which this may be one - and service that is not being offered by other supermarkets, online retailers and the high street.
At least Tesco - with its much-praised new Watford store as a template for the future - is doing something about it. But finding a point of difference for today's retail giants will be all the more difficult in the coming years.
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Saturday Comment: A Multi-Channel Retiler With Drive To The Ends Of The Earth. Or, At Least, The West Midlands
Travelling through the West Midlands earlier this month we happened upon a couple of online retailers from Germany with two large white vans and an impressive level of commitment.
The two had set themselves up in a 300 or 400 square foot tent in the middle of a music festival's cluster of retail stalls that otherwise seemed to comprise a random collection of festival necessities, t-shirt stalls, music memorabilia, and a majority with odd bits of, er, shall we say 'tat', and other accessories.
The guy in charge was clearly an hoary old hand at the job - in this case selling music CDs and LPs - yes, boxes and boxes of new, limited edition, vinyl.
I looked at the vans (German made not Ford transits, obviously) and looked at his sidekick - diminutive, long haired and with a special skill at miscalculating the Euro prices on the stock into British pounds. The pair had driven from Northern Germany to get to the festival with as much stock as they could squeeze in - about 3 or 4 per cent of their entire stock as it turned out.
While being impressed with the entrepreneurial drive, we were confused by the economics. How could it be possible that it could be financially viable to sell this stuff when you've also had to pay for the travel of some pretty heavy merchandise (the weight as well as the music, which anyone who has tried to lift a box of old vinyl will know)?
His business, it turned out, was the retail arm of a record label but which sold a wide variety of records from other labels to help fill the coffers of what everyone knows can be a cash strapped industry these days. It's quite a common set-up we understand. The retail division was then split again into an old mail order business catering for heavier tastes, now selling mainly online, and a more mainstream business.
He had been coming to the festival since its early days when it was still small and had forged a good reputation with the operators - meaning the rent he paid for his pitch was at a very favourable rate.
'We have a credible offer, more so than some of the other retailers here,' he explained gesturing to the other stalls. 'The organisers see that as being an important ingredient for the mix here and so we get a pretty good deal.'
He went on: 'We're here until well after the music stops and it can get very busy.' The attendees, mostly an older crowd still with a love of vinyl records, are having a good time - drinking beer, naturally inclined to browse and for whom the words 'rare' or 'limited edition' stimulate parts of their brains that other signals cannot reach.
In short they're a bit drunk, in the mood to spend and being presented with something that, even when completely sober, they would probably see as irresistible.
Here was a truly multi-channel offer. Not only was he flogging his wares online our friend was going out and finding them in their natural habitat and though some good relationship building and probably some deft negotiating he was managing to make a bit of money too (we don't know how much but we're he didn't seem like the sort of chap would be doing this for free).
Flogging stuff to festival goers isn't a new selling secret but his commitment to finding his customers clearly was.
One thing we didn't ask the guy was why on earth the organiser couldn't find someone in this country with the range or the commitment to do what he was doing.
Amazingly he hadn't. Our loss, it seems, and Germany's gain.
The two had set themselves up in a 300 or 400 square foot tent in the middle of a music festival's cluster of retail stalls that otherwise seemed to comprise a random collection of festival necessities, t-shirt stalls, music memorabilia, and a majority with odd bits of, er, shall we say 'tat', and other accessories.
The guy in charge was clearly an hoary old hand at the job - in this case selling music CDs and LPs - yes, boxes and boxes of new, limited edition, vinyl.
I looked at the vans (German made not Ford transits, obviously) and looked at his sidekick - diminutive, long haired and with a special skill at miscalculating the Euro prices on the stock into British pounds. The pair had driven from Northern Germany to get to the festival with as much stock as they could squeeze in - about 3 or 4 per cent of their entire stock as it turned out.
While being impressed with the entrepreneurial drive, we were confused by the economics. How could it be possible that it could be financially viable to sell this stuff when you've also had to pay for the travel of some pretty heavy merchandise (the weight as well as the music, which anyone who has tried to lift a box of old vinyl will know)?
His business, it turned out, was the retail arm of a record label but which sold a wide variety of records from other labels to help fill the coffers of what everyone knows can be a cash strapped industry these days. It's quite a common set-up we understand. The retail division was then split again into an old mail order business catering for heavier tastes, now selling mainly online, and a more mainstream business.
He had been coming to the festival since its early days when it was still small and had forged a good reputation with the operators - meaning the rent he paid for his pitch was at a very favourable rate.
'We have a credible offer, more so than some of the other retailers here,' he explained gesturing to the other stalls. 'The organisers see that as being an important ingredient for the mix here and so we get a pretty good deal.'
He went on: 'We're here until well after the music stops and it can get very busy.' The attendees, mostly an older crowd still with a love of vinyl records, are having a good time - drinking beer, naturally inclined to browse and for whom the words 'rare' or 'limited edition' stimulate parts of their brains that other signals cannot reach.
In short they're a bit drunk, in the mood to spend and being presented with something that, even when completely sober, they would probably see as irresistible.
Here was a truly multi-channel offer. Not only was he flogging his wares online our friend was going out and finding them in their natural habitat and though some good relationship building and probably some deft negotiating he was managing to make a bit of money too (we don't know how much but we're he didn't seem like the sort of chap would be doing this for free).
Flogging stuff to festival goers isn't a new selling secret but his commitment to finding his customers clearly was.
One thing we didn't ask the guy was why on earth the organiser couldn't find someone in this country with the range or the commitment to do what he was doing.
Amazingly he hadn't. Our loss, it seems, and Germany's gain.
Friday, 16 August 2013
Online Sales Rebounding Despite Weak July
Online sales growth slowed to 10.4 per cent last month as more Britons made their way outdoors and spent their money in high streets, pubs and restaurants instead of online.
The increase is slower than the 18.3 per cent surge the previous month and, directionally at least, in line with other measures such as the British Retail Consortium's 7.9 per cent rise and Barclaycard's 8.5 per cent.
The ONS figures also reflect the experience of John Lewis which publishes weekly sales data including the performance of its internet business. Sales at Johnlewis.com ground to a virtual halt in the first part of July but have rebounded strongly this month.
The department store said this morning that sales in the two weeks to August 10 increased 22.7 per cent boosted by a strong performance in electricals.
The increase is slower than the 18.3 per cent surge the previous month and, directionally at least, in line with other measures such as the British Retail Consortium's 7.9 per cent rise and Barclaycard's 8.5 per cent.
The ONS figures also reflect the experience of John Lewis which publishes weekly sales data including the performance of its internet business. Sales at Johnlewis.com ground to a virtual halt in the first part of July but have rebounded strongly this month.
The department store said this morning that sales in the two weeks to August 10 increased 22.7 per cent boosted by a strong performance in electricals.
Amazon Lines Up New York Food Delivery Centre 30 Miles From Manhattan
Amazon is believed to be lining up a New York City food delivery centre after buying up a warehouse in New Jersey.
The 560,000 square foot location is just short of 30 miles from central Manhattan - easy striking distance when you consider Ocado delivers to most of the country from Hatfield. The site previously housed a grocery distribution centre and was equipped with a refrigeration unit.
The strategy has been highlighted as a possible threat to Ocado and the UK's other homegrown delivery operators.
The 560,000 square foot location is just short of 30 miles from central Manhattan - easy striking distance when you consider Ocado delivers to most of the country from Hatfield. The site previously housed a grocery distribution centre and was equipped with a refrigeration unit.
One analyst has said he expects Amazon to begin delivering from the unit as early as next year. The internet giant has been delivering groceries in Seattle through its FreshDirect operation but in June extended the operation to Los Angeles.
We reported in June that Amazon has drawn up plans to have operations in 20 US urban centres by next year and will even push into Europe.
Thursday, 15 August 2013
SecretSales.com Appoints Thomas Pink Director Traub
Flash sales site SecretSales.com has appointed Thomas Pink director Melanie Traub as chief commercial officer as the website posted 'record results'.
Traub was buying, merchandising and distribution director at Thomas Pink where she has worked for the past decade. She has also worked at Asprey & Garrard, Kookai and Marks & Spencer.
Last year it appointed Nicole Farhi finance director Will Dresser at chief financial officer, Robert Moss from My-Wardrobe.com as chief marketing officer and Douglas Squirrel as chief technology officer.
SecretSales.com said sales in the first-half increased 80 per cent. Co-founders Nish and Sach Kukadia said in a statement: 'As Secret Sales continues to post record results while also rolling out key developments, products and marketing initiatives, now is the right time to review and redefine our commercial strategy.
Traub was buying, merchandising and distribution director at Thomas Pink where she has worked for the past decade. She has also worked at Asprey & Garrard, Kookai and Marks & Spencer.
Last year it appointed Nicole Farhi finance director Will Dresser at chief financial officer, Robert Moss from My-Wardrobe.com as chief marketing officer and Douglas Squirrel as chief technology officer.
SecretSales.com said sales in the first-half increased 80 per cent. Co-founders Nish and Sach Kukadia said in a statement: 'As Secret Sales continues to post record results while also rolling out key developments, products and marketing initiatives, now is the right time to review and redefine our commercial strategy.
Asos And Bestseller Billionaire Buys 10% Of Zalando
The billionaire who is the largest shareholder in UK online fashion phenomenon Asos has acquired a stake in Germany's internet equivalent Zalando.
Anders Holch Povlsen controls 27 per cent of Asos through his Bestseller fashion supply and retail business which operates brands including Jack & Jones and Vera Moda.
Holch Povlsen has acquired 10 per cent of Zalando from existing shareholders including European Founders Fund, Holtzbrinck and retail conglomerate Tengelmann. The sellers were all founding shareholders and will continue to retain stakes.
The price paid for the shares was not disclosed. But Zalando's largest shareholder Kinnevik said in June that it had bought an extra 3.5 per cent for €100 million. It's stake is 37 per cent.
Zalando chief executive Rubin Ritter told Bloomberg Holch Polvsen would treat the investments 'very separately'.
'My reading of it is that he is a great believer in fashion ecommerce. There's nothing about combining' the businesses, he said.
One analyst said the acquisition of shares in Zalando and Asos would 'improve Bestseller's presence in these markets and strengthen the company's wholesale business'.
Anders Holch Povlsen controls 27 per cent of Asos through his Bestseller fashion supply and retail business which operates brands including Jack & Jones and Vera Moda.
Holch Povlsen has acquired 10 per cent of Zalando from existing shareholders including European Founders Fund, Holtzbrinck and retail conglomerate Tengelmann. The sellers were all founding shareholders and will continue to retain stakes.
The price paid for the shares was not disclosed. But Zalando's largest shareholder Kinnevik said in June that it had bought an extra 3.5 per cent for €100 million. It's stake is 37 per cent.
Zalando chief executive Rubin Ritter told Bloomberg Holch Polvsen would treat the investments 'very separately'.
'My reading of it is that he is a great believer in fashion ecommerce. There's nothing about combining' the businesses, he said.
One analyst said the acquisition of shares in Zalando and Asos would 'improve Bestseller's presence in these markets and strengthen the company's wholesale business'.
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
New Look Online Sales Surge 79%
Fashion retailer New Look said sales at its internet business rose by 78.7 per cent lifting group performance.
The 'growing strength' of the internet business boosted group sales by 4.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to June 29 compared to the same period a year earlier, New Look said in a statement. Group like-for-like sales increased 0.3 per cent in the period.
'We are very encouraged by New Look’s robust trading performance in the period, in spite of the coldest spring for 50 years. Our disciplined attitude to cost and stock management has enabled us to make further strong progress in a difficult and volatile trading environment,' said chief executive Anders Kristiansen.
He said: 'We are confident that the improvement to our ranges, the refurbishment of our stores and our growing online strength will underpin further progress.'
Profit, measured as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, increased by 13.1 per cent, New Look said.
The 'growing strength' of the internet business boosted group sales by 4.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to June 29 compared to the same period a year earlier, New Look said in a statement. Group like-for-like sales increased 0.3 per cent in the period.
'We are very encouraged by New Look’s robust trading performance in the period, in spite of the coldest spring for 50 years. Our disciplined attitude to cost and stock management has enabled us to make further strong progress in a difficult and volatile trading environment,' said chief executive Anders Kristiansen.
He said: 'We are confident that the improvement to our ranges, the refurbishment of our stores and our growing online strength will underpin further progress.'
Profit, measured as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, increased by 13.1 per cent, New Look said.
Overstock.com Creates Software Hub In Ireland
Amazon rival Overstock.com plans to create 45 jobs at a software development operation in Ireland.
The secretive firm has not revealed whether the new staff, who will be based in Sligo as part of a development scheme with the Irish government, will be part of the firm's European plan or feed into the global operation.
The firm launched a price war with Amazon two weeks ago, as reported in the Bookseller, suggesting it may be taking a more aggressive stance towards its key rival. The Bookseller said Overstock launched a 'one week only' promotion offering '10 per cent of Amazon's Book Prices'. But Overstock apparently enjoyed the promotion so much that it extended it into the following week.
Salt Lake City-based Overstock has global sales of more than $1 billion and just under a million products listed in its site, including furniture, music, books and clothing. It employs 1,300 staff.
According to the Irish Independent newspaper the announcement comes just six months after fellow online retailer Etsy selected Dublin as its European, Middle Eastern and African headquarters creating 17 new jobs. IDA Ireland, the International Development Fund's local operation, aggressively promotes Sligo among other areas, the newspaper reported.
The secretive firm has not revealed whether the new staff, who will be based in Sligo as part of a development scheme with the Irish government, will be part of the firm's European plan or feed into the global operation.
The firm launched a price war with Amazon two weeks ago, as reported in the Bookseller, suggesting it may be taking a more aggressive stance towards its key rival. The Bookseller said Overstock launched a 'one week only' promotion offering '10 per cent of Amazon's Book Prices'. But Overstock apparently enjoyed the promotion so much that it extended it into the following week.
Salt Lake City-based Overstock has global sales of more than $1 billion and just under a million products listed in its site, including furniture, music, books and clothing. It employs 1,300 staff.
According to the Irish Independent newspaper the announcement comes just six months after fellow online retailer Etsy selected Dublin as its European, Middle Eastern and African headquarters creating 17 new jobs. IDA Ireland, the International Development Fund's local operation, aggressively promotes Sligo among other areas, the newspaper reported.
Tuesday, 13 August 2013
Ebay Dresses Up UK Fashion Offer With Personalised Shopping Service
Ebay has launched a personalised service for fashion shoppers as it raises the stakes against Amazon in the UK.
The website has agreed six month trial of the service with with fashion advice website Dressipi. The site recommends styles, colours, sizes and confidence levels based on individual 'Fashion Fingerprints' - information given to it by shoppers.
The two-tier service will offer either basic advice based on browsing habits or more personalised recommendations based on information provided.
Dressipi's Donna Kelly, who co-founded the start-up, said: 'We founded Dressipi because we believe that personalisation is the future of ecommerce. In an environment where choice is near infinite, the retailers who prosper in the future will be those who use a combination of editorial judgement, customer insight and sophisticated algorithms to help the customer narrow down the selection of goods to those that they like and will want to buy.'
The technology is based around the Fashion Fingerprint which is used to narrow down the selection of clothes to 'fit and flatter' an individual.
In December last year Dressipi announced former Marks & Spencer chief executive Sir Stuart Rose as its chairman.
The website has agreed six month trial of the service with with fashion advice website Dressipi. The site recommends styles, colours, sizes and confidence levels based on individual 'Fashion Fingerprints' - information given to it by shoppers.
The two-tier service will offer either basic advice based on browsing habits or more personalised recommendations based on information provided.
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| Dressipi wants to flatter eBay customers' figures |
Dressipi's Donna Kelly, who co-founded the start-up, said: 'We founded Dressipi because we believe that personalisation is the future of ecommerce. In an environment where choice is near infinite, the retailers who prosper in the future will be those who use a combination of editorial judgement, customer insight and sophisticated algorithms to help the customer narrow down the selection of goods to those that they like and will want to buy.'
The technology is based around the Fashion Fingerprint which is used to narrow down the selection of clothes to 'fit and flatter' an individual.
In December last year Dressipi announced former Marks & Spencer chief executive Sir Stuart Rose as its chairman.
Amazon Launches Fine Art Store To Offer 'Affordable Works Of Art'
Amazon has launched a Collectibles and Fine Art section on its website in a bid to further extend its scope and to attract more high spending customers.
The launch follows months of talks with galleries which have agreed to supply the new marketplace, as we reported at the beginning of last month, and who clearly believe there are customers that will spend tens of thousands of pounds on works listed on the site.
There are an estimated 150 art dealers and galleries supplying the project which works in the same way as its existing marketplace with Amazon taking a cut of the sale and sellers responsible for product and shipping. Amazon normally charges its sellers 5-20 per cent of the sale price.
There are about 4,500 artists listed and 40,000 items - 18,000 of which are under $1,000 and 29,000 under $5,000.
The launch follows months of talks with galleries which have agreed to supply the new marketplace, as we reported at the beginning of last month, and who clearly believe there are customers that will spend tens of thousands of pounds on works listed on the site.
There are an estimated 150 art dealers and galleries supplying the project which works in the same way as its existing marketplace with Amazon taking a cut of the sale and sellers responsible for product and shipping. Amazon normally charges its sellers 5-20 per cent of the sale price.
There are about 4,500 artists listed and 40,000 items - 18,000 of which are under $1,000 and 29,000 under $5,000.
Monday, 12 August 2013
Not So Fab For Staff At Fab.com's European Headquarters As 100 Employees Face The Axe
Online retailer Fab.com is preparing to sack 15 per cent of its staff amid concerns it is failing to meet its growth targets.
The retailer is cutting 100 jobs from its European headquarters in Berlin and 'centralising' operations to its New York base, according to a blog post by chief executive Jason Goldberg.
The Financial Time said the decision 'raises questions about [Fab's] growth trajectory'. It said the company grew revenue to $115 million last year, but that was almost 20 per cent short of growth targets.
It also lost a number of key executives and searches for the company's name have dropped sharply since the beginning of the year according to Google Trends, it said.
The company has moved away from a format offering 'daily deals' to one closer to a standard Amazon-style ecommerce format.
Goldberg said: 'Today is a tough day for Fab and our amazingly talented and hardworking team as we are putting into effect a considered initiative to centralise much of out operations at our New York headquarter.'
He said the new business model is 'scaleable and allows us to sell the same products simultaneously everywhere around the globe.'
'That was hard to do with flash sales as products would come and go,' he said.
The firm has raised $328 million so far from investors including Chinese internet giant Tencent and Actor Ashton Kutcher. In June it was reportedly valued at $1 billion.
The retailer is cutting 100 jobs from its European headquarters in Berlin and 'centralising' operations to its New York base, according to a blog post by chief executive Jason Goldberg.
The Financial Time said the decision 'raises questions about [Fab's] growth trajectory'. It said the company grew revenue to $115 million last year, but that was almost 20 per cent short of growth targets.
It also lost a number of key executives and searches for the company's name have dropped sharply since the beginning of the year according to Google Trends, it said.
The company has moved away from a format offering 'daily deals' to one closer to a standard Amazon-style ecommerce format.
Goldberg said: 'Today is a tough day for Fab and our amazingly talented and hardworking team as we are putting into effect a considered initiative to centralise much of out operations at our New York headquarter.'
He said the new business model is 'scaleable and allows us to sell the same products simultaneously everywhere around the globe.'
'That was hard to do with flash sales as products would come and go,' he said.
The firm has raised $328 million so far from investors including Chinese internet giant Tencent and Actor Ashton Kutcher. In June it was reportedly valued at $1 billion.
US Furniture Site Wayfair Poised For Major UK Advertising Push
US online furniture giant Wayfair is preparing a huge marketing push in the UK with an advertising campaign beginning today.
The company, which launched in the UK in 2008, told Furniture News the TV campaign would be its first ever in Britain as it seeks to build on its existing customer base.
'We're now ready to reach new audiences and expand on our brand awareness here in the UK. We've commissioned a series of TV ads to be aired throughout the second half of the year making a new era for us and the next stage of our commercial evolution,' said Wayfair UK managing director Joel Stevenson.
The firm's turnover was $600 million (£387 million) last year and it also operates from three US cities as well as Ireland, Germany and Australia, it says on its website.
Wayfair began as CSN stores and by 2011 had more than 200 separate websites. But it consolidated the sites into one - Wayfair.com - which it launched in September that year after raising $165 million to support the new strategy.
It has continued to consolidate the market acquiring other sites such as DwellStudio last week. It also operates from a handful of other sites including Joss & Main and AllModern.
The company, which launched in the UK in 2008, told Furniture News the TV campaign would be its first ever in Britain as it seeks to build on its existing customer base.
'We're now ready to reach new audiences and expand on our brand awareness here in the UK. We've commissioned a series of TV ads to be aired throughout the second half of the year making a new era for us and the next stage of our commercial evolution,' said Wayfair UK managing director Joel Stevenson.
The firm's turnover was $600 million (£387 million) last year and it also operates from three US cities as well as Ireland, Germany and Australia, it says on its website.
Wayfair began as CSN stores and by 2011 had more than 200 separate websites. But it consolidated the sites into one - Wayfair.com - which it launched in September that year after raising $165 million to support the new strategy.
It has continued to consolidate the market acquiring other sites such as DwellStudio last week. It also operates from a handful of other sites including Joss & Main and AllModern.
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Online Retailers Button Up 'Massive' Demand For Women's Fashions
Online retailers saw a surge in clothing sales last month as shoppers took to the internet to pick up hot weather fashions.
Online sales of womenswear increased 44 per cent boosting the total sales rise in the category on the high street and the internet by 9.6 per cent, according to Barclaycard figures released by the Mail on Sunday.
But online spending was significantly weaker than the trend, growing by just 8.5% compared to the same time last year and lower than June's 12.5 per cent increase.
It said total consumer spending during the month increased 4.8 per cent compared to last year as shoppers returned 'in force' to high streets. Grocery chains and pubs also benefited from the weather and sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Ashes.
The Mail on Sunday said many sectors hit the highest rate of spending rises since Christmas - with some even hitting year highs in a month that is usually lacklustre. Trade in pubs increased 11 per cent, for example.
The newspaper said the figures are likely to provide confidence to the Chancellor and business leaders but may also fuel concerns that the economic recovery is too dependent on consumer spending - and borrowing.
Meanwhile, spending at cinemas, theatres and restaurants eased but remained strong while spending in department stores and shops that sell furniture and electronics all fell. Spending online at department stores 'jumped' the paper said.
Online sales of womenswear increased 44 per cent boosting the total sales rise in the category on the high street and the internet by 9.6 per cent, according to Barclaycard figures released by the Mail on Sunday.
But online spending was significantly weaker than the trend, growing by just 8.5% compared to the same time last year and lower than June's 12.5 per cent increase.
It said total consumer spending during the month increased 4.8 per cent compared to last year as shoppers returned 'in force' to high streets. Grocery chains and pubs also benefited from the weather and sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Ashes.
The Mail on Sunday said many sectors hit the highest rate of spending rises since Christmas - with some even hitting year highs in a month that is usually lacklustre. Trade in pubs increased 11 per cent, for example.
The newspaper said the figures are likely to provide confidence to the Chancellor and business leaders but may also fuel concerns that the economic recovery is too dependent on consumer spending - and borrowing.
Meanwhile, spending at cinemas, theatres and restaurants eased but remained strong while spending in department stores and shops that sell furniture and electronics all fell. Spending online at department stores 'jumped' the paper said.
John Lewis Boss Andy Street Dismisses Calls For Online Tax As 'Rather Shrill' But Demands Urgent Business Rates Review
John Lewis managing director Andy Street this morning appeared critical of calls for an online tax - dismissing them as 'rather shrill'.
But he told the Sunday Times of the urgent need to review the business rates system to provide 'answers' to issues raised by retailers across the sector. He said the review needs to come ahead of the next revaluation which begins in 2015.
Street said during an interview with the Sunday Times: 'The rather shrill calls to tax online players to make it fair— I don’t think it’s that simple, actually.'
'What I hope will happen is there will be a really thoughtful approach to how business rates need to be reformed. You could decide, actually, that tax needs to be on turnover, because we still have a tax model that reflects how money was made 20, 30 years ago,' he said in the interview.
He also said he feels a 'sense of satisfaction' over the scrutiny of Amazon's tax arrangements since he slammed their offshore tax structure nine months ago.
But he told the Sunday Times of the urgent need to review the business rates system to provide 'answers' to issues raised by retailers across the sector. He said the review needs to come ahead of the next revaluation which begins in 2015.
Street said during an interview with the Sunday Times: 'The rather shrill calls to tax online players to make it fair— I don’t think it’s that simple, actually.'
'What I hope will happen is there will be a really thoughtful approach to how business rates need to be reformed. You could decide, actually, that tax needs to be on turnover, because we still have a tax model that reflects how money was made 20, 30 years ago,' he said in the interview.
He also said he feels a 'sense of satisfaction' over the scrutiny of Amazon's tax arrangements since he slammed their offshore tax structure nine months ago.
Saturday, 10 August 2013
Saturday Comment: Why Dotcom Darling Asos Wooed The Marks & Spencer Executive. Twice.
It has been an odd and faintly depressing week for Britain's dotcom industry.
Despite being branded innovative and 'world leading' by luminaries including Next's chief executive Lord Wolfson recently, the sector still struggles to shake off the distrust clearly placed upon it by a fusty old City.
We're referring, of course, to the recent and seemingly inexplicable obsession exhibited by Asos for former Marks & Spencer executives. First the pursuit of Kate Bostock, followed by her untimely departure after just six months (let's be entirely honest here, didn't we all know that was a culture clash waiting to happen?).
Then, on Wednesday, Asos appointed former Marks & Spencer group finance director Ian Dyson as senior non-executive.
So what has Ian Dyson got to offer a young, funky and entrepreneur-driven firm like Asos? A Marks & Spencer history lesson raises more questions than answers.
So what has Ian Dyson got to offer a young, funky and entrepreneur-driven firm like Asos? A Marks & Spencer history lesson raises more questions than answers.
Aquascutum Goes Online Seeking Older Gentleman
Clothing label Aquascutum appears to be finally admitting defeat in its quest for younger customers with a new web site and marketing push featuring an 'older' male model.
After years - and tens of millions of pounds - poured into magazines like Vogue in failed attempts to emulate the success of Burberry, its new owners appear to have finally admitted it may have ignored its obvious customer base.
'We have used an older model because we don't want to isolate out customer. We want to appeal to older and younger generations,' the label's ecommerce manager Emma Godfrey told Retail Week.
The new website launches in the next two weeks in preparation for an autumn marketing campaign. The marketing will feature a younger female model alongside the older male model in an effort to broaden the shopper base. New owners, Hong Kong-based fashion retailer and supplier YGM, acquired the rights to parts of the brand last year.
Aquascutum, known for its rain coats and the distinctive check pattern of its inner lining, is also expected to open a store near Regent Street in mid-October and is looking for a central London flagship store.
After years - and tens of millions of pounds - poured into magazines like Vogue in failed attempts to emulate the success of Burberry, its new owners appear to have finally admitted it may have ignored its obvious customer base.
'We have used an older model because we don't want to isolate out customer. We want to appeal to older and younger generations,' the label's ecommerce manager Emma Godfrey told Retail Week.
The new website launches in the next two weeks in preparation for an autumn marketing campaign. The marketing will feature a younger female model alongside the older male model in an effort to broaden the shopper base. New owners, Hong Kong-based fashion retailer and supplier YGM, acquired the rights to parts of the brand last year.
Aquascutum, known for its rain coats and the distinctive check pattern of its inner lining, is also expected to open a store near Regent Street in mid-October and is looking for a central London flagship store.
Friday, 9 August 2013
Amazon UK Presses Fire Button on Games and Software Downloads
Amazon has launched a digital downloading service on over 600 games and software titles through its UK website.
The service is available for PC and Mac users and so far includes classic and popular games titles such as Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3 and Mass Effect 3 and anti-virus, photo editing, business and language learning software.
The service - currently listed as being in 'beta' mode as Amazon introduces more titles - will gradually expand and also include a growing selection of free-to-play games such as Stronghold Kingdoms and Second Life, says Amazon.
Xavier Garambois, vice-president of European consumer business at Amazon EU, said: 'Not only is this exciting for everyday purchases bit for major upcoming releases, Amazon customers will be able to get their hands on products without waiting for them to arrive in the post.'
The service is available for PC and Mac users and so far includes classic and popular games titles such as Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3 and Mass Effect 3 and anti-virus, photo editing, business and language learning software.
The service - currently listed as being in 'beta' mode as Amazon introduces more titles - will gradually expand and also include a growing selection of free-to-play games such as Stronghold Kingdoms and Second Life, says Amazon.
Xavier Garambois, vice-president of European consumer business at Amazon EU, said: 'Not only is this exciting for everyday purchases bit for major upcoming releases, Amazon customers will be able to get their hands on products without waiting for them to arrive in the post.'
Currys And PC World Join The Delivery Space Race With Same-Day Service
Currys and sister chain PC World have introduced a handful of new delivery options for technology-obsessed customers including a same-day service.
With a few catches.
The chains, owned by parent group Dixons Retail, will offer customers three new choices. It will offer the option of ordering before 9.30am with deliveries arriving later the same day between 6.30pm and 10pm.
A similar next-day service will offer customers delivery between 6:30pm and 10pm on orders made before midnight the previous day. While a Sunday delivery slot will offer the option of receiving goods between 2:30pm and 6pm allowing for 'more flexibility, suiting customers' 21st century lives,' the press release says.
The seven-day service, offered in partnership with Royal Mail Courier Service, will be available 362 days a year, excluding only Christmas Day, Easter Sunday and New Years Day.
Clearly the same-day service does not include Sunday but let's assume they include Saturdays. However, the service is restricted to small box parcels - all products 'excluding large home appliances,' fridges and freezers for example, and TVs over 39".
It also excludes most of the country - launching in Greater London and 'other selected post codes' with plans to extend the service to other areas in the short-term, the company says.
The same day service costs a reasonable £14.99 and the next day service is priced from £4.99.
Exciting for those in dire need or that just can't survive another day without that new set of 'phones.
But, for the moment at least, promising slightly more than it is delivering with the service only really available in London leaving the rest of the country waiting by the letter box in the hope it gets there before the weekend - like the good old days.
With a few catches.
The chains, owned by parent group Dixons Retail, will offer customers three new choices. It will offer the option of ordering before 9.30am with deliveries arriving later the same day between 6.30pm and 10pm.
A similar next-day service will offer customers delivery between 6:30pm and 10pm on orders made before midnight the previous day. While a Sunday delivery slot will offer the option of receiving goods between 2:30pm and 6pm allowing for 'more flexibility, suiting customers' 21st century lives,' the press release says.
The seven-day service, offered in partnership with Royal Mail Courier Service, will be available 362 days a year, excluding only Christmas Day, Easter Sunday and New Years Day.
Clearly the same-day service does not include Sunday but let's assume they include Saturdays. However, the service is restricted to small box parcels - all products 'excluding large home appliances,' fridges and freezers for example, and TVs over 39".
It also excludes most of the country - launching in Greater London and 'other selected post codes' with plans to extend the service to other areas in the short-term, the company says.
The same day service costs a reasonable £14.99 and the next day service is priced from £4.99.
Exciting for those in dire need or that just can't survive another day without that new set of 'phones.
But, for the moment at least, promising slightly more than it is delivering with the service only really available in London leaving the rest of the country waiting by the letter box in the hope it gets there before the weekend - like the good old days.
Thursday, 8 August 2013
Boden Appoints Ecommerce Director As It Targets Overseas Growth
Online and catalogue retailer Boden has appointed a new ecommerce manager as it seeks to capitalise on overseas demand.
Sue MacMillan was multichannel director at outdoor brand Tiso for the past year and head of direct at Hobbs for more than three years before that.
Her appointment follows comments from founder Johnnie Boden in May that international sales have overtaken the UK.
He told the Guardian that sales in the US last year reached $150 million. He said he aims to build a $500 million business in the country within four or five years - about equal to total group sales last year. Sales in Germany are rising at more than 20 per cent.
Sue MacMillan was multichannel director at outdoor brand Tiso for the past year and head of direct at Hobbs for more than three years before that.
Her appointment follows comments from founder Johnnie Boden in May that international sales have overtaken the UK.
He told the Guardian that sales in the US last year reached $150 million. He said he aims to build a $500 million business in the country within four or five years - about equal to total group sales last year. Sales in Germany are rising at more than 20 per cent.
HMV Drafts In New Digital Chief As It Prepares For October Online Launch
Music retailer HMV has appointed a new managing director at its digital division as it prepares to relaunch its ecommerce business in time for Christmas.
James Coughlan worked four years at Vodafone until 2010 where he was 'responsible for growing their digital music business,' Hilco said in a statement. He has since worked as a consultant developing digital content for the Kiss FM Remixer app, co-founded start-up Noise Inc and worked with Samsung, Channel 4 and Universal.
HMV, whose website is not currently trading, plans to relaunch its ecommerce and digital business in 'early October'. Marketing Week said it expected a UK version of The Vault which is the digital business launched in April by HMV Canada - also owned by Hilco.
The Canadian site launched after four months of beta testing. It is understood the experience acted as a test run for the business and it is expected the UK version will not require such rigorous testing before a full launch.
Hilco bought HMV's UK business in April after it collapsed into administration.
James Coughlan worked four years at Vodafone until 2010 where he was 'responsible for growing their digital music business,' Hilco said in a statement. He has since worked as a consultant developing digital content for the Kiss FM Remixer app, co-founded start-up Noise Inc and worked with Samsung, Channel 4 and Universal.
HMV, whose website is not currently trading, plans to relaunch its ecommerce and digital business in 'early October'. Marketing Week said it expected a UK version of The Vault which is the digital business launched in April by HMV Canada - also owned by Hilco.
The Canadian site launched after four months of beta testing. It is understood the experience acted as a test run for the business and it is expected the UK version will not require such rigorous testing before a full launch.
Hilco bought HMV's UK business in April after it collapsed into administration.
Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Asos Surprises With The Appointment Of Another Former Marks & Spencer Director
Online fashion site Asos has appointed another former Marks & Spencer director just three weeks after the sudden departure of product director Kate Bostock.
Ian Dyson, group finance director at M&S until August 2010 and currently chief executive at pub group Punch, has been drafted in as senior non-executive from October this year, Asos said this morning.
However, the appointment is likely to raise eyebrows after the announcement, just 22 days ago, of Bostock's departure only six months after she arrived. Asos chief executive explained at the time that the two firms had 'different cultures'.
Asos chairman Brian McBride said: 'Ian has a wealth of experience of being at the forefront of large UK listed consumer-led businesses and has strong understanding of both the retail industry and of technology.'
Ian Dyson, group finance director at M&S until August 2010 and currently chief executive at pub group Punch, has been drafted in as senior non-executive from October this year, Asos said this morning.
However, the appointment is likely to raise eyebrows after the announcement, just 22 days ago, of Bostock's departure only six months after she arrived. Asos chief executive explained at the time that the two firms had 'different cultures'.
Asos chairman Brian McBride said: 'Ian has a wealth of experience of being at the forefront of large UK listed consumer-led businesses and has strong understanding of both the retail industry and of technology.'
Fashion Site Izabel London Plans Overseas Push
Fashion website Izabel London plans to extend its offer to international customers and improve its mobile site.
The firm, owned by clothing wholesaler CK Morgan, has agreed a deal with London ecommerce consultancy Venda to develop a 'fully integrated' mobile site and enter international markets.
Isabel London's website currently states that it only delivers to addresses within the UK and the Republic of Ireland but that it is 'looking to start shipping abroad soon'.
The CK Morgan group had a turnover of £24.6 million in 2012. It also owns fashion consultancy The Trend Boutique which operates a web site, issues trend reports and runs seminars.
Izabel London director Kevin Jamali said the new system would offer customers a 'smoother and more integrated platform'.
'We were looking for the right partner that didn't require us to develop a large internal IT team to create and maintain a bespoke platform. Venda's knowledge of the industry, expertise in the fashion sector and SaaS platform meant it was easy to transition from a national site to a global one as well as add mobile functionality,' said Jamali.
The firm, owned by clothing wholesaler CK Morgan, has agreed a deal with London ecommerce consultancy Venda to develop a 'fully integrated' mobile site and enter international markets.
Isabel London's website currently states that it only delivers to addresses within the UK and the Republic of Ireland but that it is 'looking to start shipping abroad soon'.
The CK Morgan group had a turnover of £24.6 million in 2012. It also owns fashion consultancy The Trend Boutique which operates a web site, issues trend reports and runs seminars.
Izabel London director Kevin Jamali said the new system would offer customers a 'smoother and more integrated platform'.
'We were looking for the right partner that didn't require us to develop a large internal IT team to create and maintain a bespoke platform. Venda's knowledge of the industry, expertise in the fashion sector and SaaS platform meant it was easy to transition from a national site to a global one as well as add mobile functionality,' said Jamali.
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
July's Online Retail Sales Increased 7.9%, According To The BRC
The British Retail Consortium's monthly sales tracker has thrown up another seemingly anomalous result for online sales - the second this year after a similar effect in March.
The consortium said sales growth slowed in July to an increase of just 7.9 per cent compared to a year earlier.
On one hand growth was under pressure last month. John Lewis said online sales early in July ground to a virtual halt because shoppers were heading for their gardens and local parks in the heatwave rather than shopping.
What's more, the BRC said the growth was compared to a strong week a year earlier when it recorded internet sales in July grew by 15.6 per cent.
But John Lewis also said last week that sales later in July rebounded strongly as shoppers got used to the heatwave. And with this year showing such strong growth and such a concerted effort - particularly from high street retailers - to grow online - we think the 7.9 per cent figure just seems too low.
The consortium said sales growth slowed in July to an increase of just 7.9 per cent compared to a year earlier.
On one hand growth was under pressure last month. John Lewis said online sales early in July ground to a virtual halt because shoppers were heading for their gardens and local parks in the heatwave rather than shopping.
What's more, the BRC said the growth was compared to a strong week a year earlier when it recorded internet sales in July grew by 15.6 per cent.
But John Lewis also said last week that sales later in July rebounded strongly as shoppers got used to the heatwave. And with this year showing such strong growth and such a concerted effort - particularly from high street retailers - to grow online - we think the 7.9 per cent figure just seems too low.
Dwell Founder Seeks To Appease Customers With Swipe At Other Former Directors
The founder of ecommerce turned stores retailer Dwell has attacked it previous management for its treatment of customers.
The company, which appears to have become a lesson in the risks of overambitious expansion from the web to stores, collapsed owing £1 million of unfulfilled orders.
Aamir Ahmad had only left the company late last year before the company hit problems just months later. He has complained to the Independent newspaper that directors left customers in a 'terrible situation'.
But Ahmed, who bought back Dwell from administrators last month, said he could not confirm when, if ever, customers would get their products. He bought back six of the 23 stores and the web site.
He told the newspaper he would not 'promise something we can't deliver' and in some cases were offering alternative products to customers who were 'let down by the old company'.
He said alternative products for immediate delivery or else a gift voucher were being offered in return for unfulfilled orders. The firm is suggesting customers still not satisfied contact their credit card company for a refund - or, presumably, join the queue with other creditors at the administrators.
The company, which appears to have become a lesson in the risks of overambitious expansion from the web to stores, collapsed owing £1 million of unfulfilled orders.
Aamir Ahmad had only left the company late last year before the company hit problems just months later. He has complained to the Independent newspaper that directors left customers in a 'terrible situation'.
But Ahmed, who bought back Dwell from administrators last month, said he could not confirm when, if ever, customers would get their products. He bought back six of the 23 stores and the web site.
He told the newspaper he would not 'promise something we can't deliver' and in some cases were offering alternative products to customers who were 'let down by the old company'.
He said alternative products for immediate delivery or else a gift voucher were being offered in return for unfulfilled orders. The firm is suggesting customers still not satisfied contact their credit card company for a refund - or, presumably, join the queue with other creditors at the administrators.
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