/ Technology

/ Marketing

/ Marketing

Effective e-commerce site optimization addresses the problem of converting a shopper to a customer.

E-learning helps retailers dump classrooms and three-ring binders for the anywhere, anytime Internet.

Two merchants show what it takes operationally to execute seamlessly an order online/pick-up in store program.

/ Technology

Although Yahoo Inc. is playing hard to get, Microsoft Corp. says its proposed acquisition of Yahoo would enabled the combined companies to better compete in the growing areas of online video and mobile commerce as well as offer a stronger alternative to Google Inc. in search engine marketing. An acquisition would also open the door for more integration between Microsoft’s e-commerce technology and Yahoo’s Merchant Solutions e-commerce platform.

Retailers are turning to web-enabled systems to help sort through the best options for delivery speed and cost.

After selling its footwear and accessories site, 6pm.com, to Zappos.com last year, eBags is refocusing its core bags business with new features such as its Emerging Designers showcase, and new plans for growing sales in the U.K. and Germany.

Books and apparel are the most popular items purchase online in a global retail e-commerce market, where the total number of online consumers has risen 40% over the past two years to 875 million, according to The Nielsen Co.’s Global Online Survey. 85% of Internet users worldwide have made at least one online purchase; South Korea leads in this area with 99% and the U.S. is ranked eighth at 94%.

/ E-Retailers

Sharper Image Corp., which built a strong reputation as an innovative multi-channel retailer after launching more than 30 years ago, buckled under the pressure of competition and filed for bankruptcy protection last month. It intends to conduct business as usual while working on a reorganization plan executive by new CEO Robert Conway, a turnaround specialist.

Rapid growth in overall sales may be slowing but Blue Nile, the largest web-only jewelry retailer, is forging ahead overseas to build on surging international sales.

Online sales continued to far outpace overall retail sales in the U.S. last year, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports. Retail e-commerce sales grew 19% in 2007 to $136.4 billion, up from $114.62 billion in 2006, as overall retail sales increased 4%.

/ Technology

Online retail’s score of 83 on a 100-point scale tied for first with breweries and electronics manufacturers in the American Consumer Satisfaction Index survey of more than 40 industries conducted by the University of Michigan. But retailers cannot rest on their laurels, says Larry Freed, CEO of ForeSee Results, which owns the patent to the ACSI technology for gauging consumer satisfaction.

/ Technology

Online shoppers spent 8.5% more on Valentine’s Day this year on gift items than on the same day in 2007, according to payments processor Retail Decisions. Gift cards were the most purchased Valentine’s Day items purchased online, followed by roses, chocolates and cookies.

/ Technology

The commitment by 125 e-retailing pros to speak at IRCE 2008 is a huge contribution to the industry

/ Technology

By using advanced techniques, retailers are getting a greater return on investment in search engine marketing.

/ Technology

Internet Retailer presents a wrap-up of its first-ever web site design conference, where the art and science of e-commerce converged.

/ Technology

Knowing how and when to invite a customer to chat and which customers to chat with can turn live chat from a customer service convenience into a sales-generating tool.

/ Technology

Retailers must learn how to develop online video that helps shoppers buy, and presents content when and where shoppers want it.