If there has been one sweeping theme across the retail landscape in 2022 — and there has been — it’s supply chain. A new benchmarked study of 1,150 online consumers from Dotcom Distribution suggests several areas brands and retailers can tackle to shape the ideal customer experience, even during a period of uncertainty in the…
Maria Haggerty
If there’s one thing consumers want, it’s options. In the increasingly saturated and competitive e-commerce landscape, a person can generally find what they’re looking for across myriad channels, make purchases using their preferred payment method, and receive their orders when and where they choose. Short of supply chain issues currently thwarting these efficiencies, the possibilities…
2020 was the beginning of a new world in retail. The pandemic took what would have been years of physical and digital commerce growth and compacted it into a matter of weeks, requiring sellers and consumers alike to adapt and innovate at an unprecedented rate. While the evolution of retail and e-commerce has been expeditious…
Dotcom Distribution’s annual e-commerce consumer study took an interesting turn this year. Historically, the study explores online shoppers’ evolving behavior pertaining to various areas, including purchasing, packaging, shipping, returns, omnichannel, and sustainability. That remains true; however, because the initial survey data was collected prior to COVID-19-related shutdowns, an additional round of data was collected in…
The impact of COVID-19 has been felt throughout supply chains worldwide. With much production impacted, and facing an uncertain future, many retailers are wondering how to manage existing inventory in the short and long term. For retailers with longer seasonal lead times, spring and summer inventory is likely already in stock, or at least secured.…
Traditionally recognized for managing fulfillment services, today’s top third-party logistics (3PLs) providers play a much larger role — one that remains supportive while providing exclusive insights and guidance. They serve as an extension of the retail operations team, coordinating distribution, helping create customer experiences, ensuring on-time and correct delivery, and, maybe most importantly, serving as…
Nike announced last week that as part of the company’s focus on elevating consumer experiences through more direct, personal relationships, it will stop selling its merchandise directly to Amazon.com. Here’s why Nike made the right decision. Partnering with Amazon undoubtedly has benefits — namely, a built-in audience and speedy delivery options. However, it’s crucial to consider…
In an effort to help brands and retailers stay on top of consumer mind-sets surrounding the evolving online shopping experience, Dotcom Distribution, a premier provider of B-to-C and B-to-B fulfillment and distribution services, conducts an annual e-commerce consumer survey. The 2019 study explores where brand decisions and consumer behaviors intersect, and how that affects purchase…
Parcel carriers are increasing their rates again. Unfortunately, that’s not surprising to most of us in the e-commerce industry. Over the past few years, retailers have been forced to deal with near-annual rate increases from UPS, FedEx and USPS. However, even small rate increases can translate into thousands of dollars in additional expenses that jeopardize…
With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about your holiday strategy. A successful holiday shopping season doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, planning and a strategy that allows you to deliver the same high-quality customer experiences that shoppers enjoy throughout the year. During November and December, many retailers enjoy a healthy…
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Choosing how and when to scale their e-commerce operations is an increasingly important, and difficult, decision for retailers. While more consumers are shopping online, not every retailer should be swept up in the excitement. In a classic Goldilocks scenario, some growth opportunities are too hot while some are too cold. Brands must understand their customer and…
A great fulfillment partner is one that can help business owners accomplish their goals by providing trust, excitement and new opportunities for both the brands themselves and their customers. Here are tips on how providers and retailers can better work together to improve not only fulfillment and logistics, but the brand overall:
As retailers make decisions for 2015, capitalizing on branded and personalized packaging strategies should be a priority. Retailers don't need complicated packaging options, but solutions that are personalized. Maybe your brand is the "flirt" or perhaps the "gentleman." What's important is figuring that out, then strategically incorporating that style to positively influence how consumers engage with and remember your brand. Your brand is obvious to you, but branded packaging can make it equally apparent to your customers.
Last year alone, six-and-a-half years worth of unboxing videos were uploaded to YouTube. These videos show consumers opening packages and removing their contents. The concept sounds simplistic, but consumers find them mesmerizing. Why is that, and what should retailers know about unboxing?
While the quest for faster shipping is an ongoing struggle for retailers and fulfillment companies, it's unlikely that drones or anticipatory shipping alone will be the key to faster deliveries. Instead, these services will be the gateway into a new shipping model — one that's customer centric, highly personalized and characterized by the following:
