Weekend reading: 30th April

There’s another bank holiday upon us folks! The Avasam team are big fans of bank holidays, but we also know that eCommerce never stops – and so many of you will be working through this weekend. Whether you’ve scheduled some down time or you’re hard at it, we hope you enjoy a bit of rest, ready to move into May.

This week in the reads, we’re talking about how retail is bouncing back post-lockdowns, whether linking executive bonuses to ethical practices is a good idea, and how consumers are shopping more consciously, so why this could be important. We’re also thinking about partnerships in retail, and how you can build customer loyalty with consumer data. Lots to take in!

The latest from us

Our newest supplier went live on the platform this week – supplier number GB010067 has a range of designer fashion wear from a collection of the world’s top Asian and Pakistani brands. There are some absolutely beautiful womenswear designs to choose from, so if your target customer would be interested, log in and start sourcing today.

Looking for products that your customers will definitely want as the weather starts to warm up? On our home page, we’ve added collections of spring clothing and footwear, barbecue products, and sunglasses, so it is easy for you to source the exact products your customers are looking for. We’ve also added a category for camping and hiking gear, and since overseas travel is still heavily restricted, we’re expecting more demand than ever for products in this category this year.

The weekend reads

In-store retail is bouncing back after COVID lockdowns here in the UK, with consumer confidence high. We’re not expecting that to impact eCommerce in a negative way though, since footfall dipped after the initial reopening rush. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that many consumers will continue with their online shopping habits that they adopted through the lockdowns. Will there be an overall winner between eCommerce and the high street? Well, it remains to be seen, (eBay’s shares dipped by almost 7% this week over fears that shoppers will abandon shopping online for the high street) but we highly doubt either are going anywhere anytime soon.

There’s been a huge amount of talk about sustainability this week, with Boohoo considering linking executive bonuses to performance in environmental, social and governance. Unsure whether this will work, or whether it is simply ‘greenwashing’? Find out more about the ethics behind the idea here.

We’ve talked about the trend for consumers to shop more consciously – from shopping with businesses that pay their taxes in the UK, to choosing businesses that have sustainable packaging. Fashion platform Zalando’s latest research suggests that customers want more from retailers to help them make sustainable choices. Find out what Zalando are investing in to support sustainability in fashion here.

Strong partnerships are at the heart of nearly all successful businesses, and retail is no exception. We’ve just mentioned sustainability, and with that in mind, Asda are working on rolling out second hand clothing sales with their partnership with Preloved Vintage Kilo. Further to that collaboration, Yours Clothing are partnering with Tesco to launch shop-in-shops. Is it time to consider your partnerships, and build new ones?

Is now the time to take another look at your target customers and consumer data? Predictive analytics can help you to understand how retail has changed, and to help you deliver the best customer experience, wherever you’re selling. Find out more about building long-term loyalty here.

Dates for your diary

Struggling with Google Analytics and looking to boost your international ranking? This one-hour webinar, from the Department for International Trade is running next Wednesday, 5th May, at 10am, and will hold crucial information to help you master it.

Not signed up for Tamebay Live yet? With in-person events still on hold this year, this is going to be a great moment to connect with other people in the industry, and to get some key insights. You can find out more and sign up for free here.

Are you considering how omnichannel strategy could benefit your business? There’s a lot to be gained, but it isn’t a straightforward jump. The Digital Transformation event being hosted by The Retail Bulletin on the 20th of May is going to be full of information you’ll want to know before you get started. Sign up for free here.