/ Technology

Higher retailer interest and the technology’s ongoing evolution create a robust demand for site search

The 2007 AffStat Affiliate Marketing report offers a rare glimpse into how affiliate programs compare.

/ Technology

Half of all retail web sites are vulnerable to hackers, a ScanAlert executive says.

When information overload strikes, retailers can winnow data with an executive dashboard.

/ Technology

Stacks and Stacks Homewares founder Mel Ronick refuses to get crushed by the giants.

The Home Depot is pulling back this month from selling ad space to third parties, mostly manufacturers, on HomeDepot.com. The retailer has determined that it can put its online resources to better use by focusing the site on helping customers shop online.

/ Technology

Since switching its Internet marketing from third-party lead services to a system that lets it manage its own search engine marketing, Coastal Hyundai has increased Internet-generated sales while cutting its cost per lead to about $6 from $20.

/ Technology

A study by LakeWest Group finds that, while 75% of the 100 fastest-growing publicly held retailers in the U.S. operated in multiple channels, only 22% consider seamless multi-channel integration a top priority. Of retail chains that operate web sites, 40% still have no integration between store and web systems.

With a new system from Mercent that uses Coremetrics analytics data, Bass Pro Shops can target its ad spending on particular products to the comparison shopping sites shown to be most effective in selling those products. The system shows Bass Pro all the products a shopper clicked while browsing as well as the products purchased.

/ Technology

In a test of a “Magic Mirror” system from IconNicholson, fashion retailer Bloomingdale’s let in-store shoppers send images of themselves wearing new outfits to online friends, who send back comments and images of suggested fashions.

Web analytics can deliver more data on site visitor behavior in more ways than ever before, but many web merchants spend only a relatively small amount of time analyzing it, The E-Tailing Group says in its Sixth Annual Merchant Survey. One reason for the shortfall: a lack of enough trained analysts, the study says.

Building on its expertise in logistics, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is rolling out a “Site to Store” program that lets shoppers order products on Walmart.com for pick-up at Wal-Mart store. The program saves online shoppers from paying for shipping, though experts say Wal-Mart have to improve on its promise to ship to a store within 7 to 10 business days.

Building on its expertise in logistics, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is rolling out a “Site to Store” program that lets shoppers order products on Walmart.com for pick-up at Wal-Mart store. The program saves online shoppers from paying for shipping, though experts say Wal-Mart have to improve on its promise to ship to a store within 7 to 10 business days.

If I were running a big retail chain I don`t think I`d turn my back on this Internet trend.

Web merchants are spending more to get better results on their investments in natural search and pay-per-click.

/ Technology

Dynamic product imagery is shrinking the gap 
between online and offline shopping experiences.

/ Technology

The web is working its way into stores via kiosks that help build customer relationships and boost sales.

/ E-Retailers

The lightning pace of e-commerce business developments is forcing retailers of all types to hit moving targets at budget time

/ Technology

By automating fulfillment, some retailers are satisfying customers who always are demanding more.

/ E-Retailers

The web-only mass merchant is selling off its travel unit, OTravel.com, after shoppers showed little interest in it as a source of travel bargains. But that doesn’t mean they won’t shop online for cars through its new O-cars program, CEO Patrick Byrne says.