You’d think that when retailers enhance their online shopping options, the goal would be increased online sales. Not so with Target, Gap and Rite Aid — which are adding new online tools with the hopes of boosting in-store sales.
online shopping
Video: Sorry eBay — Turns Out Some Small Businesses Support the Marketplace Fairness Act
Online giant eBay is leading the charge against legislation that would require sales tax to be collected on Internet sales. The mandate would be an unfair burden on small businesses, eBay says. And yet who are among the bill’s strongest supporters? Yep, small businesses.
Bait and Switch: Beware Low-Price Guarantees
Retailers love that price-matching guarantees attract shoppers. At the same time, they hate it when customers actually try to take advantage of these policies.
Hungry and Lazy Consumers, Rejoice! It’s Getting Even Easier to Order Food
Burgers, pizza, and a wide range of groceries are on the menu for consumers who are too busy, or just too lazy, to make a food run—or even bother picking up the phone.
Whodathunkit? Auto Dealerships Realize Responding to Customer E-mails Helps to Sell Cars
It turns out that responding to potential paying customers is good for business. That’s why car dealerships have been dramatically improving how they handle online inquiries.
Online Shoppers: Meh, Same-Day Shipping Isn’t That Big a Deal
Same-day delivery is being pumped up as a major step for e-retail—the service that’ll boost online shopping sales into the next stratosphere. There’s one minor problem, though: Shoppers don’t seem to want it all that much.
Flight Prices to Get Personal? Airfares Could Vary Depending on Who Is Traveling
Travelers are annoyed by the very real possibility that they’ll sit down on a plane next to someone who paid much less for the same flight. Potential changes to how flights are priced in the future could be even more annoying.
Amazon Gets More Same-Day-Delivery Competition: Shutl Coming to 20 Cities
Do you want some stuff, but don’t want to leave the couch? A new same-day delivery service promises near-instant gratification for millions of online shoppers all over North America.
How Car Buying Is Becoming Less Awful—or At Least Less Time-Consuming
Anyone who has sat through the endless “let me talk to my manager” runaround at an auto dealership would probably agree that buying a car is one of the most painful shopping experiences in the consumer landscape. But must this …
Best Buy Swears Shoppers Don’t Have to Bother Showrooming Anymore
With the launch of a new price-matching guarantee, electronics giant Best Buy promises “the end of showrooming”.
A 4% Surcharge for Using a Credit Card?! Now Legal — but Not Likely
Starting on Sunday, Jan. 27, retailers will be allowed to tack a surcharge of up to 4% onto your tab if you want to pay with a credit card. If that sounds like a lot, you’re right. Happily, though, it’s unlikely to happen very often.
It’s Peak Season for Shopping Because You’re Depressed
The most depressing day of the year supposedly takes place right around now. It’s also prime time to be tempted into shopping as a cure for the blues.
