MULTICHANNELNEWS 11
CATH KIDSTON GOES MOBILE D
esign company and retailer Cath Kidston recently
announced the launch of its fi rst transactional mobile site, powered by Usablenet’s mobile and multichannel customer engagement technology.
In addition to further engaging with consumers, the HTML5 mobile site enables customers to more easily browse and shop the Cath Kidston collection and can be accessed by going to www.
cathkidston.com from any web- enabled mobile phone. Cath Kidston mobile features include m-commerce capabilities to complete transactions via a variety of payment options. It also offers account support for viewing and managing
transactions, as well as updating account settings. Expandable menus
improve site navigation by maximising the small screen design to streamline mobile shopping. Scrolling image galleries with touch zoom enables customers to scroll through high-quality images without long load times. “Since our inception in
1993 Cath Kidston has emerged into a unique and infl uential lifestyle brand,” said Amanda Holden, Cath Kidston head of e-commerce. “Developing a mobile site with Usablenet was an obvious choice to support our company’s international growth. Now we can provide all consumers access to the Cath Kidston collection, no matter where they are.”
BRANDBANK CONTENT POWERS NEW ASDA APP The new Asda iPhone mobile shopping app is using product images and information provided by supplier content aggregator and distributor Brandbank. The new Asda mobile app lets a consumer buy groceries online and compare the price of their shopping to other supermarket e-commerce sites. More than 60% of customers who access the Asda. com mobile website do so using iPhones, while the company has said it is developing an Android version of the app.
The launch of the app follows the launch of Asda’s mobile- optimised site in August this year.
Kate Cuthbertson, Asda head of mobile strategy, commented: “We are moving quickly to develop new services to address the requirements of the multichannel consumer. Brandbank is important in helping
Asda.com provide the high-quality site content that makes it possible to deliver exciting new online shopping apps.”
SMALL BUSINESS MISSES OUT ONLINE
While 78% of UK micro businesses sell products or services online, the UK still lags behind other European nations in its adoption of e-commerce, according to the Epson Business Council research conducted by Coleman Parkes, which surveyed 1,250 owner/ managers in companies with 1-10 employees across fi ve European countries.
Far more micro businesses in
Italy had an e-commerce presence (94%), for example. While only 59% of UK micro businesses saw e-commerce channels as a business opportunity, compared with 72% of micro businesses across Europe. The fi ndings come in the wake of a new government initiative, launching a series of free e- commerce ‘Web Fuelled Business Initiative’ seminar schemes for more than 3,500 UK fi rms to run from January to March next year. Phil McCabe, senior policy adviser from the Forum of Private Business, commented: “Rather than seeing e-commerce simply as a threat, small business owners should investigate every opportunity to grow and promote their businesses through appropriate online channels – so we’re pleased to see the government is helping them to become more web savvy.”
◆ Marks & Spencer is using IBM Sterling Order Management and WebSphere Commerce software for to transform its website into a global marketplace where customers can shop from any country, device or channel regardless of whether they are calling, viewing, surfi ng or walking in from the street. The software provides integrated purchasing, order management and customer service capabilities across all of the retailer's sales channels.
Advanced Systems - Cloud Technologies - On-line Settlement - Contactless Payment
Management - Margin Control - Business Analytics - Loss Prevention
Automation
- Promotions and Vouchers - Cash Management - Central Replenishment
ACCORD® - SUCCESSFULLY DRIVING OVER 2000 UK STORES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 RETAIL TECHNOLOGY
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