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Samsonite opens own eCommerce store

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samsonite.gifSamsonite Group has launched a new e-commerce website, Samsonite Black Label, to give customers the opportunity to browse and buy online on a platform which, over time, will become global and ultimately offer the whole range of Samsonite and Samsonite Black Label products.

The website will be available initially to consumers in the US and Canada from the beginning of October 2007. It will then roll out to further Samsonite Black Label local language sites in the European region in the first quarter of 2008 and in the Asia Pacific markets such as South Korea, China and Japan in the second quarter of 2008.

“The creation of a first rate e-commerce website is a key pillar in the development of our Global Retail Strategy. We fully expect that the website will play a vital role in the acceleration of our retail offer. Our objective is not just to have a stunning website, but to offer the ever more sophisticated consumer the more rounded multi-channel retail experience they demand today,” said President and CEO, Marcello Bottoli.

Originally posted on October 7, 2007 @ 9:44 am

ActiveShopper to expand to online apparel market

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activeshop.gifActiveShopper.com, a leading provider of e-commerce software and e-business solutions, has announced its plans to bring its comparative shopping services to the online apparel market.

An analysis of Q3 2006 online apparel sales, performed by comScore Networks, shows growth of over 32% from the same quarter in 2005. Sales by specialty stores represent almost 46% of the total market, while department stores’ online sales were at just under 21% of the market. These two primary players are continuing to grow, along with the actual number of online retail buyers, making ActiveShopper’s comparative shopping solution even more appealing.

“We have every reason to believe that ActiveShopper’s comparative shopping tools will work very well in the online apparel market. According to a recent report by eMarketer, online sales of apparel reached $18.3 billion in 2006, exceeding online sales for computer hardware and software. As a result, the fashion industry is now the single largest online market in the US . This is great news for our business,” notes Eliron Yaron , Chairman of ActiveShopper’s parent company, Shelron.

Originally posted on October 8, 2007 @ 8:29 am

eToys.com launches new online safety center

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etoys.gifIn response to the recent recalls of substandard toys, online toy retailer eToys.com has added an online Safety Center to educate parents grandparents and other caregivers about toy safety and safe play especially during the busy holiday toy shopping season.

It also includes steps for parents if one of their children’s toys is recalled, and provides links to a thorough listing of recalled toys. It also includes tips and suggestions for spotting potential safety risks in toys already in the home, and recommendations on preventing toy-related injuries.

As a supplement for parents, FamilyEducation.com also offers safety tips on the recent toy recalls.

Originally posted on September 23, 2007 @ 12:43 pm

Personalize your wedding ring at Zales.com

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zales.jpg If you’ve never bought a diamond before and aren’t familiar with the variety of cuts, clarity and precious metal choices available, Zales.com Romantic Creations is a big help to you.

This site allows the customer to personalize and create unique wedding bands and engagement rings online with just a few mouse clicks.

“Buying a ring doesn’t have to be intimidating and complicated. At Zales.com, you can design the perfect ring in the comfort of your own home. Our site walks the customer easily through the entire process from start to finish,” said Steve Larkin of Zales.com.

Once your ring is customized, a final price will be displayed. If you go over your budget, Zales.com will offer suggestions on how to lower the cost, whether it’s changing the metal type and/or changing the characteristics of the diamond.

Indeed, customization is the next big thing regardless of business you’re in. This reminds me of a consumer trend coined by Faith Popcorn called EGOnomics. In her book entitled Clicking, the essence of EGOnomics is this: “Feeling unconnected in the depersonalized Information Age, consumers are drawn to customized, individualized, products and services.” In case you have an online business, you may want to explore this concept.

Originally posted on September 13, 2007 @ 8:02 am

Pronto.com adds “social shopping” features

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pronto.jpgPronto.com, the Web’s most comprehensive social shopping engine selling 70 million products from over 65,000 online merchants, announced that it is the first comparison shopping site to enter the “social shopping” space with the launch of new community features that allow users to rate products, interact with other users, write reviews and gain insight from trusted peers and other like-minded shoppers.

“Traditional comparison shopping engines provide advice on WHERE to buy products, but do little to help users decide WHAT to buy. At the same time, existing social shopping sites fall short by relying on users to gather products from across the web for them — which dramatically reduces the number of products available to the community,” says Dan Marriott, CEO of Pronto.com.

According to comScore, Pronto.com is changing the online shopping model by becoming the first to fuse comparison shopping with a full range of social features to help people make smarter buying decisions.

Originally posted on September 11, 2007 @ 9:20 am