“Internet users say they are spending more time online — and less with other media. Over 35% of respondents said they were watching less TV, and nearly as many said they were spending less time with magazines,” –shop.org

This holiday season is rapidly approaching and the demand for online shopping has dramatically increased from previous years. It is essential to strategically promote your online campaigns. If you want to avoid abandoned pages and low conversion rates, follow the 8 tips below to increase qualified conversions and enhance your shopper’s online experience.

Tip 1: Matrix of Competition
The holiday season marks one of the most competitive times of the year with both consumers competing with other consumers and businesses competing with businesses. It is essential to determine your competitive advantage (price, quality, service, etc.) and target your marketing effort to capitalize on these strengths.
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Contributed by Lauren Zukowski, Ace Rankings http://www.acerankings.com
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With the on-slaught of Gift Cards from all your favorite retailers, some thought gift giving was made simplier. “When in doubt, give a gift card.” Right?

“Everyone likes picking out what they like”, ”Cash is King”, Gift cards, “the gift that always fits”, ”can’t go wrong, right?? Wrong!!

Think again, fraud is everywhere. I’m sure you’ve heard Horror stories of someone going to use the gift card only to find out when they get to the check out the card has a “Zero” value on it. And it could be a very awkward feeling going back to the “gift giver” to say “hey what’s the deal here”? 

Here are a few stories on how the scam artists are at work and a couple of ways to protect yourself when making those gift card purchases this year for the holidays.

Link to Article in the Charlotte Observer  

Contributed by Kim Sapienza http://www.coresense.com
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Retailers world wide are ramping up for the Holiday season and in the bottom of the 9th when it comes to hiring staff to handle volume business and extended shopping hours.

Here’s a few “can’t go wrong tips” to help make sure you are hiring the best for your business and your customers, not just a warm body.

Link to Article on Retail Industry

Contributed by Kim Sapienza http://www.coresense.com
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I’ll begin this post with a disclaimer. I usually shop at my local, mom-and-pop retailers. I live in a VERY small town. My local retailers are my neighbors, so I support them. That said, I admit that I LOVE Tractor Supply Company. I live on a small hobby farm, so I spend lots of money there. TSC’s merchandise mix and its good service have earned my loyalty.

I recently had to make a return — $70 worth of unopened mower blades for a mower deck I no longer owned. The cashier was about to give me cash back when I asked for store credit. She was puzzled. I explained that if she gave me cash, it might be spent elsewhere at the behest of my wife; but if she gave me a stored value card, I’d have no choice but to spend the balance in the store (and fib to my wife that it’s simply TSC’s returns policy). “Your secret’s safe with me,” the cashier said with a wink as she handed me the card. Simple and sensical I know (fib to my wife aside), but I felt like an empowered consumer nonetheless.

I think some modern and futuristic payment options (RFID? Biometrics?) are destined for short-term failure though. I’ll share those opinions in my next post. Meanwhile, I’m heading to Tractor Supply. This store credit card is burning a hole in my pocket.

Contributed by Matt Pillar, Chief Editor, Integrated Solutions for Retailers Magazine http://www.ismretail.com
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Generation Y has become the most influential generation for retailers, with the 13- to 21-year-olds in the group influencing 81% of their families’ apparel purchases and 52% of car choices, according to online marketing expert Kelly Mooney. Mooney, who will release findings at a National Retail Federation conference today, said 14- to 24-year-olds have more spending power at a younger age than previous generations, along with a strong need for “instant gratification and immediacy.”

Link to article on USATODAY.com

Contributed by Lisa Andrews http://www.coresense.com
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I really love eBay’s new Guides section because quality content drives sales AND is a fantastic search engine magnet. eBay allows sellers to write their own guides (subject to basic guidelines) and then adds the seller’s current sale items into the Guide sidebar. A smart move for every eBay seller.

Contributed by Allison Hartsoe, Internet Business Skills http://www.internetbusinessskills.com
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