Category Archives: E-Commerce

AI, Customer Experience, Customer Service, E-Commerce, News, Tech, Technology

Want to use Gen AI for great customer experience? Expert reveals all

Written by Joyce Gordon, Head of Generative AI, Amperity

In the customer experience landscape, the fervour surrounding generative AI has reached a crescendo. However, for many consumer brands, the divide between expectations and reality looms large. Brands envisioning a seamless, magical customer experience must recognise that AI’s effectiveness depends on high-quality underlying data. Without that, the AI falls flat, leaving brands grappling with a less-than-magical reality.

AI-powered customer experience with poor quality data

Let’s take a closer look at what AI-powered customer experience with poor data quality could look like. Say I’m a customer of a general sports apparel and outdoor store, and I’m planning for my upcoming annual winter ski trip. I’m excited to use the personal shopper AI to give me an experience that’s easy and customised to me.

I need to fill in some gaps in my ski wardrobe, so I ask the personal shopper AI to suggest some items to purchase. But the AI is creating its responses based on data about me that’s been scattered across the brand’s multiple systems. Without a clear picture of who I am, it asks me for some basic information that it should already know. Slightly annoying… I’m used to entering my info when I shop online, but I was hoping the AI upgrade to the experience would make things easier for me.

Because my data is so disconnected, the AI concierge only has an order associated with my name from two years ago, which was actually a gift. Without a full picture of me, this personal shopper AI is unable to generate accurate insights and ends up sharing recommendations that aren’t helpful.

Ultimately this subpar experience makes me less excited about purchasing from this brand, and I decide to go elsewhere.

The culprit behind a disconnected and impersonal generative AI experience is data quality — poor data quality = poor customer experience.

AI-powered customer experience with high quality data

Now, let’s revisit this outdoor sports retailer scenario, but imagine that the personal shopper AI is powered by accurate, unified data that has a complete history of my interactions with the brand from first purchase to last return.

I enter my first question, and I get a super-personalised and friendly response, already starting to create the experience of a one-on-one connection with a helpful sales associate. It automatically references my shopping history and connects my past purchases to my current shopping needs.

Based on my prompts and responses, the concierge provides a tailored set of recommendations to fill in my ski wardrobe along with direct links to purchase. The AI is then able to generate sophisticated insights about me as a customer and even make predictions about the types of products I might want to buy based on my past purchases, driving up the likelihood of me purchasing and potentially even expanding my basket to buy additional items.

Within the experience, I am able to actually use the concierge to order without having to navigate elsewhere. I also know my returns or any future purchases will be incorporated into my profile.

Because it knew my history and preferences, Generative AI was able to create a buying experience for me that was super personalised and convenient. This is a brand I will keep returning to for future purchases.

In other words, when it comes to AI for marketing, better data = better results.

So how do you actually address the data quality challenge? And what could that look like in this new world of AI?

Solving the data quality problem

The critical first element to powering an effective AI strategy is a unified customer data foundation. The tricky part is that accurately unifying customer data is hard due to its scale and complexity — most consumers have at least two email addresses, have moved over eleven times in their lifetimes and use an average of five channels (or if they are millennials or Gen Z, it’s actually twelve channels).

Many familiar approaches to unifying customer data are rules-based and use deterministic/fuzzy matching, but these methods are rigid and break down when data doesn’t match perfectly. This, in turn, creates an inaccurate customer profile that can actually miss a huge portion of a customer’s lifetime history with the brand and not account for recent purchases or changes of contact information.

A better way to build a unified data foundation actually involves using AI models (a different flavour of AI than generative AI for marketing) to find the connections between data points to tell if they belong to the same person with the same nuance and flexibility of a human but at massive scale.

When your customer data tools can use AI to unify every touchpoint in the customer journey from first interaction to last purchase and beyond (loyalty, email, website data, etc…), the result is a comprehensive customer profile that tells you who your customers are and how they interact with your brand.

 

About the author

Joyce Gordon, Head of Generative AI, Amperity

Joyce is the Head of Generative AI at Amperity, leading product development and strategy. Previously, Joyce led product development for many of Amperity’s ML and ML Ops investments, including launching Amperity’s predictive models and infrastructure.  Joyce joined the company in 2019 following Amperity’s acquisition of Custora where she was a founding member of the product team. She earned a B.A. in Biological Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania and is an inventor on several pending ML patents.

 

About Amperity

Amperity delivers the data confidence brands need to unlock growth by truly knowing their customers. With Amperity, brands can build a unified customer profile foundation powered by first-party data to fuel customer acquisition and retention, personalize experiences that build loyalty, and manage privacy compliance. Using patented AI and machine learning methods, Amperity stitches together all customer interactions to build a unified view that seamlessly connects to marketing and technology tools. More than 400 brands worldwide rely on Amperity to turn data into business value, including Alaska Airlines, Brooks Running, Endeavour Drinks, Planet Fitness, Seattle Sounders FC, Under Armour and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. For more information, please visit www.amperity.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

 

E-Commerce

How I Made $1000 with Temu Affiliate in 1 Month

In this article, I’m excited to share a detailed guide on how I successfully earned $1000 in just one month by leveraging Temu, an emerging online shopping platform, and strategically utilizing some of the best coupon submission sites. This journey involved not only understanding the intricacies of Temu but also how to effectively use coupons to attract and retain customers. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of my approach, filled with actionable tips.

What is Temu?

Temu offers a wide range of products, from fashion and electronics to home goods, all at competitive prices. My first step was to identify the most popular categories and products with high demand. Understanding the platform’s audience was crucial; I focused on items that appealed to Temu’s diverse user base, ensuring the products I chose had broad appeal.

Free Gifts

New users are in for a treat with Temu’s latest offer! Simply by downloading the Temu app, new users can enjoy a selection of gifts. 

Use the exclusive code “frd79503” to claim your rewards. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to explore Temu’s diverse offerings and start your shopping journey with added excitement. Download the Temu app now and claim your gifts!

What is the TEMU Affiliate Program?

You might have seen a lot of people sharing their TEMU link and code already, but you might not know that TEMU has an affiliate program that everyone can join. If you’re an avid TEMU enthusiast looking to generate a stable source of passive income, look no further than the TEMU Affiliate Program. With a high earning potential of up to $100,000 per month, the TEMU Affiliate Program is the perfect fit for you to start.

How I Make Money with the Temu?

The core of my strategy was to utilize coupon submission sites effectively. These platforms are frequented by bargain hunters looking for the best deals online. I submitted coupons for my Temu products on several well-regarded sites, including:

  • RetailMeNot: One of the largest coupon sites, offering a vast audience.
  • Slickdeals: Known for its community-driven bargains and deals.
  • Coupon Chief: Offers a user-friendly interface for submitting coupons.
  • DealsPlus: Allows for easy submission and has a large user base.

Crafting Appealing Offers

The success of a coupon campaign hinges on the attractiveness of the offer. I ensured my coupons provided real value, such as a $100 coupon or gifts for new users. The goal was to make the offer irresistible while still maintaining a profit margin.

Marketing and Promotion

Simply submitting coupons to sites wasn’t enough. I promoted these coupons through social media channels, leveraging hashtags and joining groups related to shopping deals. Engaging with the community and sharing exclusive deals helped drive traffic to my Temu listings.

The key to my success was creating a Facebook group dedicated to sharing Temu products and recommendations. I update the group daily with new content, including:

  • Temu product recommendations
  • Temu deals and discounts

I believe it is important for the group to have an informative and friendly atmosphere. Members are free to ask questions, and I do my best to help everyone.

Start by registering for Temu

Making $1000 in a month on Temu through the strategic use of coupon submission sites was a rewarding experience that taught me the importance of strategy, promotion, and adaptability in e-commerce. This approach is not just limited to Temu but can be applied across various online platforms to boost sales and visibility. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or new to the online marketplace, leveraging coupons can be a powerful tool in your e-commerce arsenal. If you also want to make money with Temu, you can register here.

Bristol, E-Commerce, Kent, London, News, Retail, Warwickshire

Bodyshop announces store closures and jobs cuts, some from today

The Body Shop has announced today that half it’s UK stores would close, with the first seven closures happening today.

It will also be cutting staff by up to 40% at it’s London-based head office.

The seven stores announced as closing today include:

• Surrey Quays (London)

• Oxford Street Bond Street (London)

• Canary Wharf (London)

• Cheapside (London)

• Nuneaton (Warwickshire)

• Ashford Town Centre (Kent)

• Bristol Queens Road (Bristol)

Administrators said that the brand’s current portfolio is no longer viable after “years of unprofitability” and administrators reassured customers that more than half of the remaining 198 outlets will remain open.

The brand’s global franchise partners are reported unaffected.

Driving, E-Commerce, News

Digital shift drives online new vehicle sales

Automotive e-commerce company drivvn has seen vehicle sales grow by 257% from £709m in 2022 to £2.2bn in 2023.

The company now supports 14 automotive brands in 10 countries across Europe and has expanded its customer base into the fleet sector. The pace of e-commerce growth continues to accelerate as drivvn’s latest online store achieved £100m in sales in its first two months.

Commenting on the growth, Peter Brown, chief executive of drivvn, said: “Our mission is to help the automotive industry accelerate its e-commerce offering, giving customers a seamless omnichannel experience. As we continue to scale, we bring greater data-led insight into the sales process to constantly improve the buyers’ journey and successful conversion to sale.

“We now work with OEMs, fleet companies and dealers to improve sales conversion, and our goal is to become the largest global provider of automotive e-commerce solutions. Our modular approach ensures that our technology can be quickly deployed to improve any aspect of the online sales journey from vehicle comparators to finance options.”

Based in Warwick and offices across Europe, the team at drivvn has grown from 40 to 55 in the last 12 months as the company invests in its development capacity, data insight and client management.

The e-commerce company counts Audi, Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Opel, Peugeot, Vauxhall, Volvo and VW as its clients. Over the last 12 months, it has also launched new channels for Motability and has just delivered its first multi-brand leasing solution.

Peter Brown concluded: “Online sales continue to grow even as the industry continues to see registrations fall below pre-pandemic levels. Every automotive business must have an online offering that lets customers join up their online journey with their retailers. We have been working hard to make sure agents and retailers get access to all customers in the journey, so that the customer experience is seamless from start to finish.”

—

Pictured: Peter Brown.
drivvn is a wholly owned subsidiary of the TCC Group. drivvn helps global businesses to accelerate online sales through its cutting-edge e-commerce stores and channels, available as bolt-on modules to existing solutions or as a full end-to-end journey.

Visit https://www.drivvn.com/

E-Commerce

TEMU Affiliate Program Updates: Up to $100,000 a month!

Exclusive TEMU promo code: Use code “aff07203” for up to 30% OFF.

We’re here to discuss the TEMU Affiliate Program and how it can become your passive income! 

– About TEMU

– About the TEMU Affiliate Program 

– How much can you earn through the TEMU Affiliate Program?

– How to withdraw affiliate commissions?

– How to start with the TEMU Affiliate Program?

– Compared with other affiliate programs.

 

About TEMU:

TEMU is a cutting-edge online marketplace that links shoppers to millions of sellers, manufacturers, and brands from all over the globe. Whether you’re looking for exciting products at a reasonable price, renowned brands, useful tools, or the latest fashion trends, TEMU is your one-stop destination to fulfill your shopping desires and needs. With an extensive array of products available on TEMU, you can easily find what you’re looking for at an unbeatable price. TEMU now is trending in several countries and people who started to use TEMU are getting more and more, so TEMU now has many promotions ongoing.

 

About the TEMU Affiliate Program:

You might have seen a lot of people sharing their TEMU link and code already, but you might not know that TEMU has an affiliate program that everyone can join. If you’re an avid TEMU enthusiast looking to generate a stable source of passive income or if you are an influencer who wants to monetize your traffic, look no further than the TEMU Affiliate Program. With a high earning potential of up to $100,000 per month, the TEMU Affiliate Program is the perfect fit for you to start.

How much can you earn through the TEMU Affiliate Program?

 You can earn up to $100,000 per month! If you’re interested in joining the TEMU Affiliate Program, you’ll be happy to know that it offers a simple and transparent commission policy. There are several possible ways for you to earn money, which are listed below:

 

1: Earn a $5 reward for each new user who downloads the TEMU App using your referral link.

2: Get commission on every purchase made by newly registered TEMU users who click through your unique referral link. The commission rate varies depending on the purchase amount:

– For purchases between $0.00 and $49.99, you’ll receive a 5% commission

– For purchases between $50.00 and $99.99, you’ll receive a 10% commission

– For purchases of $100.00 or more, you’ll receive a 20% commission

3: Take advantage of the earning leaderboard: The top 50 TEMU Affiliates with the most earnings of the last 3 days in the TEMU Affiliate Program can win a cash bonus. 

How to withdraw affiliate commissions? 

You can simply withdraw using PayPal. When your TEMU Affiliate account cash reaches $20, a pop-up will appear to notify you to link your PayPal account.

– Place an order: Commission will be added to the pending account within 5 minutes of their order and transferred to the available account 3 days after delivery.

– Download the APP: Rewards will be added to the available account within 15 minutes (new app users only).

– Become an Affiliate: Rewards will be added to the pending account immediately. They will transfer to the available account after your referred affiliate makes their first commission.

 The website will show your progress toward withdrawal.

How to start with the TEMU Affiliate Program? 

Once you sign up for the TEMU Affiliate Program here, you will obtain your referral link and code in your account center. There a are few ways to start earning:

1) if you are an influencer on social platforms, such as TikTok, YouTube, Ins, or Facebook, you can spread your referral link and code by posting content to earn commissions. Pay attention to the content you post. The better content you post, the more engagement you will have, resulting in a higher conversion rate!

2) if you are a blogger, you can write review articles with SEO about TEMU products or the TEMU Affiliate Program, where you can expose your referral link and code!

3) if you own a website or you are an editor of deals/coupon websites that have huge traffic, you can have a banner or deals articles to let more people see your referral link & code

4) any other way or platform that you can use to spread your referral link & code as long as it complies with the TEMU affiliate policy!

Compared with other affiliate programs:

Compared with other affiliate programs, TEMU offers a 5%-20% commission rate for all categories depending on each qualified purchase.

However, TEMU does not offer commissions for returning users. This might limit your earnings. But with huge traffic going into TEMU and with more countries becoming available, it’s still worth signing up for the TEMU Affiliate Program now as it’s a very popular shopping site. It might be a good idea to sign up now before TEMU modifies its commission rates and earnings limit per month.

TEMU Affiliate Commission Rate (5%-20%)

 If you’re looking for an affiliate program with high commission rates and good returns, the TEMU Affiliate Program might be the one for you. One of the best affiliate programs you can find in the affiliate marketing field. Join now and start earning commissions on referral sales referrals!

Exclusive TEMU promo code: Use code “aff07203” for up to 30% OFF.

Data & Analytics, E-Commerce, News, Tech, Technology

Amperity Achieves the New AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency

Amperity, the AI-powered enterprise customer data platform (CDP) for consumer brands, announced today that it has achieved the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency in the category of Audience and Data Management. Achieving the AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency recognizes Amperity for its expertise in providing customers with solutions that offer improved audience and customer data management capabilities for marketers and digital agencies.

As advertisers and marketers look to leverage the cloud to innovate and achieve digital transformation, they are increasingly in need of partners with services and solutions that are purpose-built to meet their needs. AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency Partners provide these customers – including advertising agencies, marketers, publishers, advertising and marketing technology providers, and analytics service providers – with AWS-validated solutions and services, helping to accelerate their transformation.

 

Achieving the AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency differentiates Amperity as an AWS Partner Network (APN) member with demonstrated technical proficiency and proven customer success in running cloud solutions on AWS for the advertising and marketing industry. This program showcases advertising and marketing technology consulting and software AWS Partners who have domain knowledge and are providing cloud services powered by AWS. To receive the AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency designation, AWS Partners must undergo a rigorous technical validation by AWS solution architects and have verified customer references.

“Our North Star in this journey is to build future-proofed, first-party data solutions. The industry is experiencing a fundamental shift affecting both customer acquisition and retention. We are privileged to play a key role in helping brands to get closer to their customers, understand their needs, and build trust in a digital age where privacy is paramount,” said Derek Slager, co-founder & CTO at Amperity. “We are proud to achieve the AWS Advertising and Marketing Technology Competency, which recognizes our ability to support scalable solutions where privacy, security, and exceptional customer experiences can coexist, driving unparalleled growth.”

 

AWS is enabling scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, the AWS Competency Program helps customers identify validated AWS Partner solutions and services for specific industry use cases. Explore the AWS Partner solutions and/or services offered in AWS Data Exchange, AWS Marketplace, or APN Partners, including Amperity.

 

To learn more about how Amperity is working with AWS, please visit here.

 

About Amperity

Amperity delivers the data confidence brands need to unlock growth by truly knowing their customers. With Amperity, brands can build a first-party data foundation to fuel customer acquisition and retention, personalize experiences that build loyalty, and manage privacy compliance. Using patented AI and ML methods, Amperity stitches together all customer interactions to build a unified view that seamlessly connects to marketing and technology tools. More than 400 brands worldwide rely on Amperity to turn data into business value, including Alaska Airlines, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Endeavour Drinks, Planet Fitness, Seattle Sounders FC, Under Armour and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. For more information, visit amperity.com or follow us on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

E-Commerce, News

Cashing In or Sitting Out: Navigating Black Friday for UK Retail Business Success

As the holiday season approaches, UK retailers find themselves at a crossroads, debating whether to participate in the Black Friday frenzy or take a more conservative approach. With the ever-growing influence of this American-born shopping extravaganza, making the right decision can significantly impact a retailer’s bottom line. In this article, we will explore the potential benefits and challenges of participating in Black Friday from a business perspective.

 

Understanding Black Friday’s Impact

Black Friday, once confined to the United States, has become a global retail phenomenon, and the UK is no exception. In recent years, consumers on this side of the Atlantic have increasingly embraced the tradition of post-Thanksgiving sales. The allure of significant discounts and exclusive deals has led to a surge in consumer spending, creating a lucrative opportunity for retailers.

 

The Potential Benefits

  1. Boost in Sales and Revenue: Black Friday presents a unique opportunity for retailers to witness a surge in sales and revenue. The consumer mindset during this period is geared towards making purchases, driven by the excitement of scoring great deals. By strategically participating in Black Friday, retailers can tap into this heightened consumer interest and boost their financial performance.
  2. Clearing Old Inventory: For retailers looking to clear out older inventory or seasonal items, Black Friday serves as an excellent platform. Offering substantial discounts on these products not only attracts customers but also helps in making room for new merchandise, ensuring a fresh and updated inventory. With innovative solutions and platforms like Creoate, it’s easier than ever to get to grips with this.
  3. Customer Acquisition and Loyalty: Black Friday can be an effective tool for customer acquisition and retention. Offering exclusive deals and discounts creates an incentive for new customers to try out a brand or product. Additionally, providing a positive shopping experience during this hectic period can foster customer loyalty, translating into repeat business throughout the year.

 

The Potential Challenges

  1. Margin Pressures: While Black Friday can lead to increased sales volume, the deep discounts offered can squeeze profit margins. Retailers need to carefully evaluate the cost implications of participating in Black Friday and ensure that the potential increase in sales compensates for the reduced margins.
  2. Operational Strain: The logistics of managing increased foot traffic, both online and in-store, can pose operational challenges. Retailers must be prepared to handle higher demand for customer service, manage inventory effectively, and ensure a seamless shopping experience to prevent any negative impact on their brand reputation.
  3. Competition and Price Wars: With numerous retailers vying for the attention of consumers on Black Friday, the market becomes intensely competitive. Engaging in price wars to outdo competitors may result in a short-term boost in sales but can erode profitability in the long run. Retailers must strike a balance between offering attractive discounts and maintaining a sustainable pricing strategy.

 

In weighing the pros and cons of participating in Black Friday, UK retailers must carefully assess their business goals, financial health, and operational capabilities. While the potential benefits are substantial, the challenges cannot be ignored. A strategic and well-thought-out approach is essential to capitalize on the opportunities without compromising the long-term viability of the business.

 

Ultimately, Black Friday can be a valuable tool for UK retailers to drive sales, acquire new customers, and enhance brand loyalty. However, success lies in meticulous planning, effective marketing strategies, and a commitment to delivering a positive and seamless shopping experience. By navigating the complexities of Black Friday with a clear business perspective, retailers can position themselves for success in the competitive holiday retail landscape.

E-Commerce, News, Sales

Black Friday starting earlier than ever – sales up YoY, but biggest growth in days before

Black Friday revenue increased by 14% YoY according to the UK’s fastest eCommerce platform provider Visualsoft, suggesting a larger than expected appetite for spending from consumers, and a resilience from retailers through what was predicted to be a challenging winter.

This was driven by an increase in the number of orders, up 12%, and a small rise in Average Order Value (AOV), which rose 2% compared to 2022.

Over the peak trading window of Black Friday through to Cyber Monday, revenue increased above inflation rates. The average increase for the four day period was 8%, with Black Friday revenue up 14% and Cyber Monday up 15%.

Chris Fletcher, VP of Operations at Visualsoft said: “We can see both Friday and Monday performed very well. Over the weekend while there were increases, they were very minor, and under inflation, which has dragged down the overall period sales, although it is still ahead YoY. But in a cost of living crisis and in an economic downturn this is still promising for retail.”

Flooring, rugs and carpets increased by an impressive 88% YoY through the Black Friday – Cyber Monday period. Gifts, gadgets and games improved their sales through the weekend by 95% on the Saturday, giving them an average improvement of 30% for the sales period. Vaping sales improved by almost 40% YoY.

Electrical goods performed worse than last year (down 31% over Black Friday – Cyber Monday) but the sector did see a peak in sales prior to Black Friday, suggesting people were snapping up deals earlier to ensure stocks were in place after challenges in previous years. Fashion improved by almost 30% year-on-year through the Black Friday trading period and lingerie and underwear improved YoY by almost 70% in revenue. Yet health, beauty and cosmetics suffered in comparison to last year, losing almost 10% in sales, although the category did hit a high conversion rate of 11% on Black Friday. Jewellery also declined YoY, dropping 6% in average revenue.

Most retailers in fact saw higher digital footfall prior to Black Friday. This implies shoppers receiving marketing about Black Friday in advance of the day were more likely to spend, with many consumers checking out deals and prices in advance of the peak trading weekend.

Each year, on Black Friday itself, orders by hour follow a very similar pattern, with orders spiking at midnight when many sites queue offers to go live. Visualsoft’s data then shows a steep increase in orders from 6am-10am as people log on before work to grab bargains. During the working day, while orders remain high, the data shows a slow decline in the number going through until 7pm. Between 7-8pm orders rise again to a similar point seen at 10am. Orders drop off rapidly after 9pm as people log off for the night.

Despite predictions that consumers would be preferring to split payments with ‘Buy Now Pay Later’, data from VS Pay – Visualsoft’s payment platform – shows that people are clearly opting to buy up front. Apple Pay was responsible for 25% of Gross Merchandising Value (GMV), showing a preference for ease and convenience. Mobile usage also increased 3% YoY, up 60% across all transactions, with people making purchases on the go.

Ian Hyde, Head of Digital Performance at Visualsoft said: “What we’re seeing is that when retailers plan early, and with the right wraparound marketing campaigns, they can harness an appetite from consumers for deals right throughout November. The biggest success has come from our retailers who used drip feed email marketing and backed it up with deep discounts that are compelling.”

Gary Murray, Head of eCommerce at Leaders said: “We are thrilled to report a phenomenal sales performance during this year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday events. The strategic efforts from Visualsoft have propelled us to not just break, but shatter our daily and weekly sales revenue records. This Cyber week has set a new benchmark, boasting the highest daily sales in the history of our business—a testament to the successful campaigns and the unwavering dedication of the team in collaboration with Leader Team.”

—

About Visualsoft

Founded in 1998, leading end-to-end eCommerce system, Visualsoft has supported some of the UK’s leading online retailers. Combining an award-winning platform, support and marketing services, Visualsoft offers a perfect blend of technology and human tech expertise that helps ambitious businesses to grow their online store to flourish and prosper online.

With over 300 employees, and processing over £1 billion + revenue in client transactions, Visualsoft is growing alongside its clients’ online success. From fashion and footwear to jewellery, pet care, home furnishing and sports, Visualsoft is working with leading brands to build exceptional customer experiences that keep customers coming back.

Whether retailers are looking to expand into new markets, improve their checkout experience, add new ways for consumers to pay, or personalise their store experience, Visualsoft’s end-to-end eCommerce solution gives brands everything they need to elevate online sales.

About the data

Data was taken from 1003 sites on the Visualsoft eCommerce platform from 20th – 27th November 2023. Figures were adjusted to take account the number of sites on the platform, to ensure like for like comparison.

E-Commerce, Marketing, News, PR and SEO

Black Friday Google searches dip as social media sales opportunities soar

TikTok provided brands with the biggest opportunity for sales during this year’s Black Friday sales, say search intelligence experts at Found & its proprietary search platform Luminr 

Google accounted for less than one in five online searches for Black Friday bargains this year, according to search intelligence experts at Found.

It illustrates a massive switch away from the world’s biggest search engine as Gen Z shoppers, in particular, turn to social media platforms to look for purchases.

The latest data, provided by analysts at Found & its proprietary tech Luminr, shows that while 110,000 searches were conducted on Google for “best Black Friday deals” this year, TikTok provided the biggest opportunity for brands on social media, with more than 70,300 searches on the platform for the hashtag #blackfridaydeals.

 

James Rigby, Head of Paid Performance at Found, said: “Times have changed. Shopping habits have changed. Online searching methods have changed and that means every brand needs to adapt its thinking.

“Around 40% of Gen Z consumers use social media for their searches, and this year’s Black Friday opportunities illustrate that starkly. If you’re a brand that wasn’t on TikTok, Instagram or even YouTube, you were unnecessarily missing out on sales, because that’s where many shoppers looked for bargains.”

X, formerly known as Twitter, saw more than 54,000 searches during the Black Friday period. There was also significant engagement on Instagram, where more than 45,000 searches for the same hashtag were conducted, highlighting it as a critical arena for viral marketing.

Not surprisingly, e-commerce platform Amazon holds the highest share of all channels, seeing 145,000 searches for #blackfridaydeals, while content generation platform YouTube, with its unique influence on consumers, registered 103,000 searches.

 

Natalie Patel, Managing Director at Found, said: “In this evolving landscape, adapting as a priority is crucial for brands. Christmas and the New Year sales are looming. So, my advice would be to find out what we know and let us help you maximise your performance across every searchable platform. It’s essential for brands to avoid excessive dependence on a single channel.

“Now is the opportune moment to adopt a more diverse strategy, ensuring you reach your audience at the right time and on the right platform.”

 

Between November 2021 and November 2022, searches for “best Black Friday deals” on Google in the UK dipped by 19%.

E-Commerce, Fashion, News

Is this eBay’s best kept secret? The unknown sustainable fashion retailer selling designer shoes and branded trainers with up to 60% off

Fashion fans can save up to 60 per cent on designer shoes and branded trainers, whilst helping to save the planet at the same time, thanks to an innovative sustainable fashion business which is selling new, seconds and ex-display footwear at a fraction of the RRP.

There are significant savings to had on luxury designer brands including Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Balmain, Balenciaga, Loewe and many more. Must-have trainer brands including trending styles from New Balance, Nike, Adidas and Converse are also up for grabs with up to 50 per cent off RRPs.

The footwear is being sold by sustainable fashion retailer Sole Responsibility – quite possibly one of fashion’s best kept secrets. The reseller is responsible for saving hundreds of thousands of pairs of perfectly wearable shoes from landfill or incineration.

 

All stock is either new, ex-display or with a small mark or fault. Products are purchased directly from retailers and sold on to shoppers at discounted prices via a dedicated eBay store. Everything that is sold is clearly marked up and photographed so buyers can see what they are purchasing. But be quick – stock is snapped up quickly, with popular brands and sizes flying out the door.

 

Simon Payne, founder of Sole Responsibility said: “Whilst the popularity of re-sale platforms like Vinted and Depop is absolutely flying, the seconds market is currently a bit of an ugly sister of the fashion industry.

“Seconds clothing and footwear just isn’t really on shoppers’ radar’s, but this makes up a huge proportion of the astronomical waste that goes on in the industry. These are clothes and shoes that are produced but never make it to market because of small faults and marks deeming them unsellable.

“When you think that fashion production makes up 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions AND it can take up to 40 years for a pair of shoes to decompose; it is criminal that products, which are perfectly wearable but have never seen the light of day are simply being disposed of. Shopping more sustainably is more than buying and selling the occasional item on Vinted. Seconds also need to be a consideration to help lessen our impact on the planet.

“At Sole Responsibility we are trying to change the way that the fashion industry and shoppers view seconds. Shoes especially are subject to wear and tear as soon as they are worn. We are saving these products, giving them a new lease of life and passing on these savings to shoppers. So if you’re in the market for a new pair of trainers or shoes then check out what you could save by buying seconds. Functional items like walking boots, wellies and event kids’ school shoes are perfect for buying in this way because they will show signs of wear and tear quickly anyway.

 

Products currently live on the site include:

JIMMY CHOO X MUGLER PUMPS 100 WOMENS MULES GOLD CHAIN (UK 5) – £499.50 (SAVE £350.50)

BALENCIAGA BLADE WOMENS BOOTS (UK 7) – £750 (SAVE £700)

ADIDAS STELLA MCCARTNEY OUTDOORBOOST 2.0 COLD WOMENS TRAINERS (UK 6) – £139.50 (SAVE £69.50)

NEW BALANCE 574 WOMENS TRAINERS UK 5 EU 37.5 – £54.50 (save £40.50)

NIKE AIR FORCE 1 CRATER WOMENS TRAINERS (UK 4) – £79.50 (SAVE £15.50)

For more information visit https://soleresponsibility.co.uk/ to shop trainers and shoes visit https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/soleresponsibility