The Webretailer News Digest for December 30, 2022
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A big thank you to all of you still with us during the infamous ‘Dead Week’. With a solid outlook on eCommerce across the board, we’re looking forward to the coming year. Stay with us in 2023 for the top news and tips that will make your sales go off like a 🚀!
Today’s news is 817 words and takes 3 minutes and 15 seconds to read.
With returns week in full swing, we hope it’s not cutting too hard into your profits. We recently showcased some tips to help sellers stave off the post-Christmas onslaught.
Since it’s a ‘dead week’ for eCommerce news, we’re reviewing our top stories from 2022 and examining how they connect with the top eCommerce trends for 2023. We’ll also provide some tips to help your online store capitalize on these trends and maximize your revenue.
eCommerce News Trend 1: Mobile Optimization
The number of customers shopping via mobile over desktops is increasing every year. Here are some stories that showcased the trend::
- In September, Mexico climbed to the top as the most mobile-centric eCommerce market in North America, which shows mobile trends are especially important in developing mixed-market economies.
- On December 2, we highlighted the fact that 48% of Black Friday sales came from a smartphone according to Adobe Analytics.
- Also in December, we reported Walmart launched their new Text to Shop feature that allows customers to use their Walmart account in combination with their smartphone.
No matter where you are in the world, mobile optimization is a key driver for eCommerce stores. Here are some key tips to help you optimize your mobile capabilities in 2023:
- Leverage your shop’s platform — Wix, Shopify, etc. — to create a responsive mobile site with a seamless checkout process.
- If possible, a retail mobile application can help drive sales and add another layer to your mobile optimization campaign. Be sure to include these key features.
- Mobile shoppers are using voice search features on their smartphones more and more. It’s important to optimize your site for voice search to ensure your store appears at the top when customers research products.
eCommerce News Trend 2: The continuing rise of BNPL
Along with smartphone capabilities, customers need a variety of options for checking out. With inflation hitting the world, BNPL grew in popularity. Here are some examples:
- Back in June, PayPal extended its BNPL options to include a new PayPal Monthly feature that allowed customers to extend payments on larger purchases.
- In August, Sellers had to push back against Mastercard, when they noticed the platform charging a little extra for BNPL purchases.
- In October, Amazon gave the greenlight for Venmo payments on the platform by Black Friday.
Whether you agree or disagree with the extra charges and consequences of offering the service, BNPL is here to stay. Adding it as a payment option in your online store can make or break a sale. Here are some things to consider:
- Be sure to review the fees around the service and choose one that won’t cut too deeply into your margins.
- Monitor potential regulations that may come up next year regarding BNPL purchase limits.
- Also review the pricing minimum on products.
eCommerce News Trend 3: Sustainability
Younger generations are more concerned with the planet than ever before, and they’re gaining more funds to spend in eCommerce markets. This year, we saw a shift for many retailers — large and small — to sustainable options marketed in their stores.
- In March, Amazon kicked off a new program in Europe to help startups launch green products.
- In September, Descartes released a report stating that 54% of customers would wait longer for sustainable deliveries.
- Target announced their new layout strategy for opening and updating stores in November. A big part of the announcement related to sustainability features.
Whether an online business is big or small, sustainability as a selling point is sweeping the eCommerce world. Younger customers have concerns about the environment, and online retailers are playing into this trend.
There are hundreds of ways to integrate sustainability into your business strategy. The key is to take things one step at a time, and let your customers know where and how you’re implementing the policy. You can:
- Use recyclable materials in your packaging.
- Ship in bulk when possible.
- Work with your shipping partner to implement a carbon-neutral shipping channel.
eCommerce News Trend 4: Drone Delivery
If you’re selling on Amazon or Walmart next year, your products may arrive via drone delivery as long as the item is 5 lbs or under. . Both retail giants tested the service heavily, and those tests led to expanded testing in larger markets.
- In May, Walmart expanded its drone testing to cities throughout the US.
- Amazon began testing its drone delivery service in June for the city of Lockeford, California.
- And just this week, Amazon officially launched the drone delivery service in Lockeford and in College Station, Texas.
Drone delivery is still in the test phase for most large retailers, and Amazon has only officially launched it in two cities. It’s unknown when the service will become available for third-party sellers. We don’t have any tips here. But it’s an interesting trend to monitor in 2023.
eCommerce is always changing, so stay with us in the coming year to keep up-to-date on the latest news and trends.
Webinars
For everyone
Various dates: Amazon advertising’s global webinar program continues with 20+ webinars scheduled, covering Prime Day Preparation, Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, reporting, optimization, and other tips. Amazon.
For US sellers
Keep an eye out for new webinars coming next month!
For UK sellers
Various dates: Amazon advertising’s global webinar program continues with 20+ webinars scheduled, covering Prime Day Preparation, Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, reporting, optimization, and other tips. Amazon.
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