There is no doubt that offering real-time interaction is providing a ‘step change’ in e-tailers’ customer service and revolutionising the personalisation of the relationship between the two. By Steve Goodheart Technically it is becoming much easier and more cost effective to talk to the online customer in real-time or offer an instant phone or email [...]

THE man who first took the Littlewoods’ empire online has warned retailers that websites which are “too smart” can drive customers away. Steve Goodheart of Liverpool-based online analysts, Transaction Partnership, said many retailers risk missing out on the internet sales boom through the over use of tools such as real-time interaction which allows them to [...]

High-street retailers need more than ever to beef up their online presence, said Liverpool retail consultancy The Transaction Partnership. Director Steve Goodheart said: “I can foresee a time when shoppers will rely almost entirely on price comparison websites to drive them to the best price, putting those retailers not featured on these sites at a [...]

The recession has created a new breed of savvy bargain-hunter consumers, using the internet to chase value from fashion retailers. These consumers are from all age ranges and backgrounds and their thirst for value means they are shopping in a fickle manner, using the power of web search to constantly track value from retailers. But [...]

http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/queens_speech_to_spark_mass_rush_to_the_online_sales_16-12-08/ Thursday 25th December 2008 The Queen’s Speech will signal the biggest ever rush to the sales on Christmas Day as customers take advantage of the lull in festivities to shop online, analysts have predicted. Online expert Transaction Partnership, which advises retailers like Matalan and O’Neill, has pinpointed 3pm on December 25 as the key [...]

Royal Mail research found that catalogue readers spent 13% more than the average shopper. This is yet another piece of evidence in the armoury of multi-channel retailers, but will be unwelcome news for two big UK companies.  Asda has had to delay publishing its new Asda Direct catalogue back from October to the end of the [...]

When organisations start transacting online the rush for sales still leaves the user experience with a lot to be desired.  Recent research shows “consumers are spending more and more time online, seeking out experiences that are relevant, engaging, and personal. However, many Web sites make users struggle to complete simple goals, have little to no [...]

It will not be a surprise when online sales grow their share of Xmas retailing.  With more retailers starting online Xmas sales on Xmas day or boxing day customers will be focussed on surfing for great bargains and at-home convenience.  The UK was the largest online retail market in Europe in 2007, with 27 million online shoppers spending [...]

For a more design lead view of the world check out www.yoox.com. We particularly like the customer interaction on this site, such as the dreambox and my yoox personalisation facilities.

And the winner of the web Oscar is littlewoodsdirect.com. Well not quite! Although they didnt win world web retailer of the year we think they do a lot of things right. For instance check out their interactive shape advisor.