Posted by: Paul.Christ
on Oct 15, 2009
M-Commerce's Big Moment (BusinessWeek)
The promise of big things in mobile commerce has been talked about for many, many years – going back to the early cellphone days. But finally with the evolution of smartphones the time for m-Commerce may soon be here. Marketers love the idea of people buying through their cellphones (it may be a perfect device for impulse purchasing). Expect to see this market explode over the next few years.
And now, thanks to the growing popularity of smartphones with rich, detailed Web browsers and easy-to-use keyboards, consumers across the country are finally using wireless devices to buy physical items—not just pizzas and sodas, but also books and clothes and the sorts of things typically associated with in-store browsing or online shopping via personal computer.
It is easy to say that m-Commerce owes a lot to the growth of the Apple iPhone, Blackberry products and other smartphones but besides these devices, what else needs to be in place for this to really be a new frontier for marketers?
Posted by: Paul.Christ
on Oct 15, 2009
Wal-Mart's Painful Lessons (BusinessWeek)
Everyone in America knows Wal-Mart is a behemoth and is feared by competitors and suppliers alike. But outside the U.S. the fear level is not quite as high. In fact, in several countries Wal-Mart would seem to exercise very little power (e.g., they dropped out of both the German and South Korean markets). This story looks at challenges facing Wal-Mart as they try to spread around the world. In particular, it looks at the retailer's position in four markets: Japan, India, Russia and Chile.
The results are mixed: International sales rose 11.5% in the second quarter (before the impact of exchange rate fluctuations), while U.S. sales barely budged. But over the past few years, operating profit margins have declined on the international side, which now has 3,805 stores operating under 53 distinct banners in 15 markets.
Of the four markets discussed which one will be the most difficult for Wal-Mart to gain a legitimate foothold?
Posted by: Paul.Christ
on Oct 13, 2009
Brands Seek Fans on Facebook (BrandWeek)
Facebook continues to draw interest from marketers, though some seem more interested than others in using it for promotional purposes. As discussed in this story, several major brands have jumped in with both feet while others seem to only be dipping their toe lightly into the sea of social network marketing.
Brands are finding themselves in a position similar to that of the new kids at summer camp: they're anxiously looking for friends. In the world of social media, the potency of a person's network has always been key. Now, this virtual popularity contest has been joined by advertisers, who are scrambling to build fan bases they hope to mobilize on behalf of their brands.
Are companies the story identifies under “Missed Opportunity” really as bad off in their Facebook presences as the story suggests?