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Tag: Amazon

  • Amazon Launches Grocery Service In The UK

    Amazon.com said today it has begun to sell groceries in the UK and will offer brands such as Kraft, Nestle, Pepsi and Proctor & Gamble.

    Amazon said it will offer over 22,000 products including Pampers, Ariel, Uncle Ben’s, Dolmio, Schwartz, Kenco, Carte Noir, Walkers, and Oreo as well as pet products from Bakers and Purina One. Amazon will be competing with Tesco, J Sainsbury, and Ocado.

    Amazon-Groceries

     

    "Amazon.co.uk’s aim is to be the place where customers can find and discover any product they want to buy online, and with the introduction of this new store there are thousands of household, niche, ethnic and international grocery items, all available at the click of a button," said James Leeson, director of Grocery at Amazon.co.uk Ltd.

    "With unlimited virtual shelf space, customers can choose from a wide variety of products, all of which benefit from free delivery. We will work tirelessly to increase the selection of grocery items available to be delivered directly to customers’ doors."

    Amazon said its grocery store will offer a large selection of international, and specialist items from organic, kosher, gluten free, sugar free and vegan products.
     

     

  • Borders Rolls Out eBook Store

    Borders Rolls Out eBook Store

    Borders has launched its own branded eBook store, powered by eReading service Kobo.

    The company says its goal is to capture 17 percent of the eBook market by July of 2011. Borders’ eBook store launches with more than 1.5 million titles, available in a number of formats, including ePub, mobile and PDF.

    "The race to emerge as a retail leader within the digital category is just starting," said Mike Edwards, Chief Executive Officer for Borders, Inc.

     

    Borders-eBookstore

     

    "During the past several months, we’ve been carefully crafting a digital strategy, one that has great content and a device-neutral philosophy backed by the Borders brand as its cornerstones. We believe we are very well positioned to come out strong and to ultimately claim about a 17 percent eBook market share by this time next year."

    Borders has also launched eReading applications for BlackBerry and Android, also powered by Kobo. The company says anyone who downloads the free apps from July 9-11 will receive 5 free bestselling books. The titles include "Frankenstein" by Dean Koontz, "One Shot" by Lee Child, "The Alchemyst" by Michael Scott, Julia Child’s "Kitchen Wisdom" and "Master your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels.

    Borders entry into the eBook market is somewhat late as rival Amazon launched its eBook store and Kindle eReader in 2007 and Barnes & Noble along with Sony introduced their own stores and devices in 2009. Unlike its rivals, Borders did not get into the eReader device making game, allowing the company to keep its focus on being a bookseller and avoiding the recent price wars between Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
     

     

  • Analyst Pushes eBay To Launch Fulfillment Program

    In the past year, eBay’s stock has risen by 17.57 percent.  Amazon’s stock has risen by 40.92 percent.  It’s possible to argue that eBay might learn a thing or two from Amazon, then, and an analyst at RBC Capital has done so by suggesting that eBay launch a program similar to Fulfillment by Amazon.

    Below, you can see a diagram of how Fulfillment by Amazon works if you’re unfamiliar with the arrangement.  It makes Amazon an integral part of all buying and selling processes, which is good for the company.  It also helps reduce shipping costs (and times), which benefits the buyers and sellers.

    Implementing a similar program would then have at least one other benefit in eBay’s case, according to RBC’s Stephen Ju.  As reported by Eric Savitz, Ju said, "Most importantly, this measure would help EBAY to shed its Web 1.0 image and remain more relevant to its base of buyers and sellers."

    eBay may want to make some changes sooner rather than later, too.  Savitz reported, "Ju maintains his Outperform rating on the shares, but cuts his target to $25, from $30.  He cut his 2010 EPS forecast to $1.62, from $1.64; for 2011, he goes to $1.79, from $1.82."

    So perhaps eBay’s shareholders can start to apply a little pressure if they feel the fulfillment program is a good idea.  Launching it would represent a big change from eBay’s traditional way of doing business, though, so no one should expect John Donahoe to greenlight the project on a whim.

  • Amazon Releases New KindleDX with Lower Price, Better Contrast

    Amazon has introduced a new version of the Kindle DX with a lower price of $379 (down from $489) and 50% better display contrast.

    "There’s no turning back once you read on our beautiful new Kindle DX screen," said Steve Kessel, senior vice president, Amazon Kindle. "With 50 percent better contrast and darker fonts, you’ll find it easier than ever to read KindleDXwherever you happen to be, whether it’s outside in bright sunlight or under the low light of your living room. We’re excited to offer the new Kindle DX with free 3G wireless at the lower price of $379."

    The device has a 9.7-inch screen and a new graphite enclosure. It’s available for pre-order starting today. It will ship on July 7th.

    The release comes less than two weeks since Amazon announced that it was lowering the price of its previous version from $259 to $189, in response to Barnes & Noble’s release of a low-priced e-reader. In that time, Amazon has also added the ability for users to see embedded video and hear audio clips within Kindle books in its Kindle apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The company has also started a new royalty program for Kindle authors.

  • Amazon Acquires Woot

    Amazon Acquires Woot

    Woot, the 24-hour deal site with a wacky sense of humor, has been acquired by Amazon.  Woot fans needn’t worry that all the fun’s coming to an end, however, as official announcements concerning the deal have so far been both completely reassuring and nearly nonsensical.

    Here’s part of an email Woot CEO Matt Rutledge sent to his employees (and posted on the official Woot blog): "[W]e plan to continue to run Woot the way we have always run Woot – with a wall of ideas and a dartboard.  From a practical point of view, it will be as if we are simply adding one person to the organizational hierarchy, except that one person will just happen to be a billion-dollar company that could buy and sell each and every one of you like you were office furniture."

    Rutledge then added, "Nevertheless, don’t worry that our culture will suddenly take a leap forward and become cutting-edge. We’re still going to be the same old bottom-feeders our customers and readers have come to know and love."  So there you have it.

    Unfortunately, one major detail – how much Amazon paid for Woot – wasn’t addressed in Rutledge’s letter or a separate blog post.  Or in a video featuring a rapping monkey puppet (no kidding).  And it doesn’t look like that omission was an oversight, meaning we may have to wait a while before anyone decides to disclose that piece of information.

    Still, given Woot’s lasting popularity, it could be hard for anyone to argue with Amazon’s decision regardless of the sum.

    Amazon’s stock rose 0.60 percent today, by the way, even as the Dow sunk 0.98 percent and the Nasdaq dropped 1.21 percent.

  • Amazon Offers New Royalty Program For Kindle Authors

    Amazon.com said today it is now offering independent authors and publishers who use its ebook self-publishing program, the Kindle Digital Text Platform (DTP), a 70 percent royalty option.

    For each book sold from the Kindle Store for Kindle, Kindle DX, or one of the Kindle apps for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, PC, Mac and Android phones, authors and publishers who choose the new 70 percent royalty option will receive 70 percent of the list price, minus delivery costs.

     

     

    Delivery costs are based on file size, and pricing is set at $0.15/MB. At today’s median DTP file size of 368KB, delivery costs would be less than $0.06 per unit sold. For example, on an $8.99 book an author would make $3.15 with the standard option and $6.25 with the new 70 percent option. This new option, first announced in January, will be in addition to and will not replace the existing DTP standard royalty option.

    "We’re excited about the launch of the 70 percent royalty option and user experience enhancements in DTP because they enable authors and publishers to conveniently offer more content to Kindle customers and to make more money from the books they sell," said Russ Grandinetti, Vice President of Kindle Content.

    To qualify for the 70 percent royalty option, authors and publishers must meet a number of requirements.  The author or publisher list price must be between $2.99 and $9.99 and the list price must be 20 percent below the lowest price for the physical book. In addition, books must be offered at or below the price of any competitor, including physical book prices.
     

     

  • IMDb Rolls Out Android App

    Amazon.com’s Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has launched an Android app and a new mobile and social feature called "IMDb Everywhere."

    IMDb’s Movies & TV App for Google Android devices features voice search, sharing and option menus. The Android app allows users to look up local movie show times, TV listings, watch trailers, buy movies and share.

     

    IMDb-Android-App

     

    IMDb’s new "Like" and "Share" buttons allow users to indicate their favorite movies, TV shows, actors and publish their preferences on Facebook and Twitter.

    IMDb has added "Like" and "Share" buttons to all movie trailers, character pages and news stories on the site.

    IMDb has also launched a Twitter page @imdbbot that allows users to tweet a question about a celebrity name or movie and receive an answer.

    "We’re making a significant commitment to our ‘IMDb Everywhere’ initiative, expanding our footprint across the web and onto emerging technologies and platforms," said Col Needham, IMDb founder and CEO.

    "Our customers want to socially engage with IMDb’s comprehensive and authoritative entertainment content anywhere they are – from IMDb.com to their mobile phone to Facebook and Twitter."

     

     

  • Amazon Adds Video/Audio to Kindle Apps

    Amazon Adds Video/Audio to Kindle Apps

    Amazon has announced an update for its Kindle apps for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch that lets users see embedded video and hear audio clips within Kindle books. Of course new books that actually take advantage of this functionality have been announced as well.

    The first books to utilize it were Rick Steves’ London from Rick Steves and Together We Cannot Fail by Terry Golway. However, there are 13 on the list currently (including more Rick Steves books).

    "We are excited to add this functionality to Kindle for iPad and Kindle for iPhone and iPod touch," said Dorothy Nicholls, director, Amazon Kindle. "Readers will already find some Kindle Editions with audio/video clips in the Kindle Store today–from Rose’s Heavenly Cakes with video tips on preparing the perfect cake to Bird Songs with audio clips that relate the songs and calls to the birds’ appearances. This is just the beginning–we look forward to seeing what authors and publishers create for Kindle customers using the new functionality of the Kindle apps."

    Kindle Audio and Video in Books

    "In the new Kindle Edition with audio/video of Rick Steves’ London, the embedded walking tours allow customers to listen to Rick as they explore the sites of London," said Bill Newlin, publisher, Avalon Travel. "Rick’s narration adds depth to the reader’s experience, while listeners can follow the routes more easily with the text."

    Last week Amazon lowered the price on its actual Kindle device in response to a lower price on the competing Nook from Barnes and Noble.

  • Amazon Against Post Office Ending Saturday Mail Delivery. Netflix Ok With it.

    As you may know, there is talk that the U.S. Postal Service could end mail delivery on Saturdays. Internet companies that ship items to consumers don’t all have the same opinion on this matter, as is evidenced by comments from Amazon and Netflix.

    Paul Misener, Amazon VP for Global Public Policy gave a testimony at a hearing in Washington on the future of the U.S. Postal Service (hat tip to Eric Engleman). Here are some notable quotes from that (the entire statement can be read here):

    United States Postal Service - Will it really end Saturday Delivery?"Amazon enjoys a strong and extensive relationship with the Postal Service. The USPS is an integral part of the service we provide our customers. Globally, we spent well over a billion dollars last year on outbound shipping – an increase of over 20% from 2008. In dollars, we spend nine figures annually on the USPS, with over two million shipments per average week via the Postal Service."

    …

    "Our customers have come to appreciate and expect Saturday delivery, and this is an instance where the USPS currently maintains a decided advantage over other carriers."

    …

    "We believe this is a bad idea. Not only would it be bad for parcel shippers, who would face higher costs to reach their urban and suburban customers on Saturday, it would be even worse for rural consumers and for the USPS itself."

    …

    "While they may be willing to wait until Monday or Tuesday for a bill they don’t really want; an advertisement they didn’t ask for; or a magazine to which they subscribed long ago; they expect the items they purchased this week to be delivered as soon as possible."

    Netflix takes a different view. "A well-functioning Postal Service, positioned over the long haul to meet changing customer and consumer demand, is more important than maintaining current delivery frequency," said Netflix chief service and DVD operations officer, Andrew Rendich, at that hearing. (via Bloomberg Businessweek)

    While Netflix certainly accounts for a great deal of mail deliveries around the country, its interests are quite different than those of Amazon’s, so the difference in opinion isn’t that hard to believe.

    For one, Netflix believes the future is in streaming when it comes to movies, and it would just as soon have customers using its streaming service more. In fact, the company is making deals with distributors to bolster their streaming catalog. Don’t be surprised if streaming becomes the main business model for the company in the future.

    At the same time, it is also in Netflix’s best interest for customers to rent a lower rate of DVDs by mail. This means less shipping costs for them while they get to charge the same amount to customers. Amazon on the other hand wants to get its products to customers as quickly as possible to keep them ordering more.

    What do you think about the idea of Saturday mail delivery coming to an end? Are you for it or against it? Discuss here.

  • Barnes & Noble Forces Amazon to Lower Kindle Price

    Earlier today, Barnes & Noble revealed a new Wi-Fi version of its Nook eBook reader, and along with that, dropped the price of its 3G version to $199. Not to be outdone, Amazon has now announced that it has dropped the price of its Kindle from $259 to $189.

    Kindle now costs lessBarnes and Noble noted in its announcement that the new Nook 3G price made the device the first undre $200 dedicated full-feature eBook reader to offer both free 3G wireless and Wi-Fi connectivity.

    Amazon says of the Kindle, "Even though it’s a 3G wireless device, Kindle has no monthly fees or annual contracts," noting that 3G eliminates the need to hunt for Wi-Fi hotspots.

    Amazon makes a point of saying that its device is in stock and available for immediate shipping.

    It looks like the real winner of this price war will be the consumer.

  • IMDb Reaches Deal With MovieTickets.com

    IMDb Reaches Deal With MovieTickets.com

    MovieTickets.com has reached a multi-year agreement to exclusively provide online movie tickets for Amazon.com’s IMDb

    Under terms of the agreement, ticket buyers searching for movies and movie showtimes on IMDb are now able to purchase tickets via a co-branded site for theaters affiliated with MovieTickets.com. This offers ticket buyers access to MovieTickets.com’s network of 195 theater chains worldwide.

    MovieTickets-IMDb

    "IMDb is one of the most recognized brands on the Internet, especially among movie enthusiasts. We are excited to be working with a destination that services such a tremendous audience," said Joel Cohen, CEO, MovieTickets.com.

    "We’ve experienced continued growth in recent years within our affiliate network, and the addition of IMDb will greatly expand the ticketing opportunities and visibility for our exhibitor partners and their inventory that MovieTickets.com represents."

    As part of the deal, WestWorld Media will be the exclusive provider of movie showtimes on IMDb.
     

     

  • Amazon Rolls Out Wheels Store

    Amazon Rolls Out Wheels Store

    Amazon.com said today it has launched its Wheels Store featuring over 10,000 wheels and nearly 4 million automotive parts and accessories.

    Amazon’s Wheels Store features a wide range of brands including American Racing, Dip, Dale Earnhardt Jr., KMC, Mickey Thompson, Sacchi, Konig and Veloche.

    Visitors looking for wheels will be able to use Amazon’s Automotive Part Finder, a search tool that helps them find the wheels to fit their specific year, make and model.

    "Our goal is to provide customers with everything they are looking for in automotive aftermarket goods," said Steve Frazier, Vice President of Amazon.com Automotive.

     

    Amazon-Wheels-Store

     

    "Wheels are an important addition to that selection, and we’re delighted to deliver great prices and the convenience of Amazon’s unique shopping experience to the wheel marketplace."

    At launch, customers who purchase a set of four wheels using the Amazon.com store Card will pay no interest on their purchase if paid in full within 12 months.

    In addition, customers who buy a set of four wheels will receive $25 worth of Amazon MP3 downloads.
     

     

  • Amazon Launches Kindle For iPad App Globally

    Amazon said today its Kindle App for iPad is now available in all countries where the device is sold.

    The move by Amazon comes as Apple today launched its iPad internationally in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, Switzerland and the UK.

    Amazon says the Kindle for iPad app will complement its Kindle reader, offering its synchronization technology of books across a number of Kindle apps, and an interface designed for the look and feel of the iPad.

    Kindle-for-iPad-App

    "We’re thrilled to make Kindle for iPad available to readers around the world," said Jay Marine, director, Amazon Kindle. "Kindle for iPad includes all the features customers love about Kindle for iPhone, including great selection and synchronization of their books across a variety of Kindle apps, along with a beautiful new user interface tailored to the look and feel of iPad."

    "Kindle for iPad is the perfect companion for the millions of customers who already own a Kindle or Kindle DX, and a way for customers to download and enjoy books even if they don’t yet have a Kindle."
     

     

  • Amazon Ties Walmart In U.S. Online Music Share

    Apple’s iTunes store continues to be the top music retailer, with 28 percent of all music purchased by U.S. consumers, a 4 percent increase since Q1 2009, according to The NPD Group.

    Amazon increased its music market share 3 percent to tie Walmart for the second spot at 12 percent. Sales of digital tracks and albums accounted for 40 percent of overall music market share in the first quarter of 2010, which is a five percent increase since Q1 2009.

    "Amazon’s growth reflects a stronger position in both the CD and digital formats," said Russ Crupnick, vice president of industry analysis for the NPD group.
    Russ-Crupnick-The-NPD-Group.jpg
    "This dual-pronged approach of selling both digital music and CDs helps attract the most valuable and committed music buyer who prefers access to both formats."

    iTune’s share of digital music downloads has remained somewhat flat since Q1 2009, growing just one percent but still dominate with 70 percent of the digital music market. AmazonMP3 grew 4 percent to reach 12 percent, while its share of the CD market grew 2 percent to reach 11 percent.

    In NPD’s review of CD retailers, Walmart led U.S. CD purchases in Q1 2010 with 17 percent share of retail market. Best Buy followed Walmart with 14 percent, Amazon’s 11 percent share positioned it in third place.

    "Unfortunately the decline in U.S. CD sales means that selection and merchandising of the physical CDs is suffering, which is one of the primary reasons consumers say they purchased CDs less frequently," said Crupnick.

    "Online shopping offers consumers who still want CDs more variety than they would get in a brick-and-mortar store; plus, recommendations, and other interactive features that raise the overall value proposition for music buyers. "
     

  • Amazon Launches New WebStore E-Commerce Product

    Today Amazon launched a new WebStore product, which lets retailers build sites around Amazon’s e-commerce platform. Those who use the product can give customers an Amazon-like online shopping experience, with minimal, actual Amazon branding.

    "With the new Amazon WebStore, we are making it simple for retailers and manufacturers to build and operate a world-class e-commerce business tailored to their brand and customers," said Scott Pulsipher, director, Amazon WebStore. "By leveraging Amazon’s technology and infrastructure, Amazon WebStore levels the playing field for small- and medium-sized businesses, helping them quickly and easily build their businesses and improve the customer experience."

    Key features, according to Amazon include:

    – Simple, self-service setup
    – Flexible layout and merchandising tools
    – Unified interface for managing sales and inventory
    – Automated marketing tools
    – Multichannel applications
    – Integrated Amazon traffic-driving and conversion features

    Brands like Timex, Atlantic Records, Boeing, MTV, and Samsonite have already implemented the new product. Examples can be seen in this gallery.

    Timex Amazon Webstore

    "When we launched our new Amazon Webstore, we saw an immediate lift of 40 percent in revenue and average order size," said Cal Crouch, director, e-commerce, Timex. "And on the support side, we have gained the flexibility to make most changes to content as well as brand ourselves — saving us thousands in development costs."

    There are several pricing options. You can build your site, sell on Amazon, and let Amazon fulfill for 0.7% per transaction and $9.99 a month. You can build your site and sell on Amazon for 1.0% per transaction and $14.99 a month, or you can build your site only for 2.0% per transaction and $24.99 a month.

  • Kindle For Android App Out This Summer

    Kindle For Android App Out This Summer

    Amazon.com said today it will release a free Kindle for Android application sometime this summer.

    Kindle for Android will allow users to browse and read from over 540,000 books in the Kindle Store.

    Kindle for Android features Amazon’s Whispersync technology, which saves and synchs a user’s bookmarks across their Kindle, Kindle DX, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, PC, Mac, and BlackBerry.

    "Kindle for Android is the perfect companion application for Kindle and Kindle DX owners, and is also a great way for customers to enjoy over 540,000 books in the Kindle Store even if they don’t yet have a Kindle," said Jay Marine, director, Amazon Kindle.

    Kindle-Android-App

    "We think customers are going to love the convenience and simplicity of having instant access to a massive selection of books from Amazon on their Droid, Nexus, Incredible and many more Android devices."

    Key features of Kindle for Android include:

    *Choose from five different font sizes

    *Read in portrait or landscape mode, tap on either side of the screen or flick to turn pages

    *Read the beginning of books for free before purchasing
     

     

  • Amazon Brings U.S. Government To The Cloud

    The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board said today it has moved Recovery.gov to a cloud computing infrastructure hosted by Amazon.com’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2).

    The board says the move will allow for more efficient computer operations, improved security and reduced costs.

    Recovery.gov is now the first government-wide system to move to the cloud. The board says the move to Amazon’s EC2 will save $750,000 during its current budget cycle and significantly more over the long-term.

    "Cloud computing strikes me as a perfect tool to help achieve greater transparency and accountability,” said Earl E. Devaney, the Board’s Chairman.

    Recovery-Amazon.jpg "Moving to the cloud allows us to provide better service at lower costs.  hope this development will inspire other government entities to accelerate their own efforts. The American taxpayers would be the winners.”

    The board says Recovery.gov is more secure and has better protection against network attacks and real time detection of system tampering. Amazon’s security platform has been added to the board’s own security system, which it will continue to maintain and operate.

    More than $1 million in computer hardware and software will be redirected to the board’s oversight operations to help identify fraud, waste and abuse in the Recovery program.

    "Recovery.gov is demonstrating how government agencies are leveraging the Amazon Web Services cloud computing platform to run their technology infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of owning and managing it themselves," said Adam Selipsky, Vice President, Amazon Web Services.

    "Building on AWS enables Recovery.gov to reap the benefits of the cloud – including the ability to add or shed resources as needed, paying only for resources used and freeing up scarce engineering resources from running technology infrastructure – all without sacrificing operational performance, reliability, or security."

     

  • Amazon iPad App Now Available

    Amazon announced the launch of its official iPad app today. It’s now available in Apple’s App Store.

    "Following the launch of the Amazon App for iPhone and iPod touch, we’ve used our customers’ feedback to help us build a fun and intuitive shopping destination on the iPad," says Director of Amazon Mobile Sam Hall. "This application offers customers a unique, interactive experience that takes full advantage of the visual and tactile nature of the iPad."

    Amazon iPad App launched

    Features

    – Purchase using Amazon’s 1-Click ordering and Amazon Prime
    – Track packages or modify orders using the Your Account feature
    – Receive personalized recommendations
    – View editorial and customer reviews
    – Browse Amazon’s Bestsellers, Gold Box Deal of the Day and Lightning Deals
    – Access Wish List and Universal Wish List
    – Watch movie trailers and listen to song samples

    There is no doubt that this will be one of the most popular apps on the iPad. Most people who purchase items online and own iPads are most likely going to download this one.

    Amazon also has apps for its Kindle and IMDB properties available for the iPad.

  • Doxo Takes Aim At Paperless Adoption

    Doxo, a Seattle based start-up focused on helping people and businesses go paperless, said today it has received $5.25 million in funding.

    The funding was led by Mohr Davidow Ventures and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Bezos Expeditions.

    Doxo said the funding is aiding the company’s expansion and private trials with some of the largest U.S. utility, insurance, banking, Internet, satellite, phone, travel and cable providers.

    Steve-Shivers-doxo "Closing what we call the ‘paperless adoption gap,’ is a massive market opportunity," said Steve Shivers, doxo co-founder and CEO.

    "Based on comparable online metrics, paperless adoption can and should be at least four or five times higher than current levels cited. For customers, all this paper mail is a big headache. For businesses, it’s enormous wasted expense. Adoption is lagging so dramatically because clear, straightforward customer needs aren’t being met. doxo is out to remedy that."

    Doxo says only about 12 percent of the 55 billion transactional document volume is delivered exclusively in electronic format today. The direct expense of paper, printing and postage for transactional mail cost businesses more than $35 billion each year.

    The company says a 30 percent increase in paperless adoption of transactional documents would save at least three million trees, over 150 million gallons of gas, and eliminate more than three million tons of greenhouse gasses every year.

    "Despite the best efforts for paperless adoption by many corporations, there appears to be a cap on adoption," said Marc DeCastro, research manager at IT market research advisory firm IDC Financial Insights.

    "For the enterprise, they want a new approach that will save money and drive greater customer adoption and interaction. For the consumer, they want a simplified process without having to manage or share login credentials across multiple web sites."
     

  • Netflix Leads In Online Retailer Satisfaction

    Satisfaction with the top 100 e-retailers has increased from a decline this time last year, to an all-time high score of 78 points on a 100-point scale, according to new research from ForeSee Results.

    The research found consumers are more satisfied with their online experiences than ever before. Nearly every individual retailer reached a score that matched or exceeded previous satisfaction levels.

    "The state of the economy really forced e-retail to step up their game," said study author Larry Freed, president and CEO of ForeSee Results.

    "Since so much of the financial downturn was out of their control, companies turned to those things they could improve, and now they are reaping the benefits. Customer satisfaction is not a byproduct of a healthy economy. Instead, a healthy economy is a consequence of satisfied customers."

    E-Retailer-Satisfaction.jpg

    Netflix ranked as the top retailer for the sixth year in a row with a score of 87, up tow points from last year.  Amazon trailed by a single point and maintained its second place position for the sixth year running.

    In 2009, only five websites scored more than 80 (generally considered the threshold for excellence), but in 2010, 28 websites score 80 or higher. Not a single e-retailer scored below 70 (usually the cut off for bottom performers), an unprecedented event in the research’s six-year history. Several companies made huge jumps in score, the most improved being MarketAmerica.com (+12 to 75), Etronics.com (+10 to 73) and Ambercrombie.com (+9 to 79).

    The study quantifies that a highly satisfied online shopper is 73% more likely to purchase online, 47% more likely to purchase offline, 72% more likely to recommend, 53% more likely to return, and 67% more like to purchase again than a dissatisfied shopper. The study also shows that a one-point increase in online customer satisfaction (as measured by this study) translates to roughly $89 million in increased sales for a top e-retailer.

    "The impact of customer satisfaction on an e-retailer’s bottom line has never been clearer," said Kevin Ertell, Vice President of Retail Strategy at ForeSee Results.

    "This research proves that customer satisfaction is still the number one driver of loyalty, positive word of mouth, and future purchasing intent. Despite a serious dip in 2009, e-retail has jumped back in line with the other industries we measure, an indication for many that the economy is finally on the way back."
     

     

  • Amazon Kindle To Add Support For Facebook And Twitter

    Amazon has introduced a 2.5 software update for its Kindle, which features support for Facebook and Twitter.

    The new Facebook and Twitter support will allow Kindle users to share book passages with their friends on the social networks.

    Amazon said it is rolling out the new software update to a limited group of Kindle users and plans a full release in late May.

    Other new improvements with the update include the ability to organize books and documents into one or more collections, zoom into PDFs and pan around to view small print and detailed tables or graphics.

    Amazon-Kindle-Update

    Other enhancements include:

    Password Protection- password protect the Kindle while it’s not in use

    More Fonts & better clarity- two new larger font sizes and sharper fonts for a better reading experience

    Popular Highlights- See what the Kindle community thinks are the most interesting passages in the books you are reading