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New Benchmarking Research Reveals Which Retailers Are Offering The Best Digital Experience This Holiday Gift Giving SeasonIRVINE, Calif., Nov. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. online sales are expected to top $3 billion for the first time this Cyber Monday, marking the single largest day for digital sales in history. But while consumers are ready and willing to do their holiday shopping online, many will encounter a digital experience that's less than ideal. Which retailers are prepared to offer the best digital experience to consumers this holiday shopping season? That's the question asked and answered in the new U.S. Retail Website Benchmarking Study issued today by Episerver™, a leading provider of digital marketing and digital commerce solutions. The benchmarking research analyzed 15 online retailers' across 5 popular holiday gift categories -- Apparel and Accessories, Floral, General Gift, Stationery, and Toys and Games -- to assess their proficiency in connecting content and commerce to support an optimal digital experience. The following retail websites were evaluated: 1800flowers.com, bosca.com, burlingtoncoatfactory.com, gifts.com, hearthsong.com, levenger.com, mastermindtoys.com, melissaanddoug.com, moleskine.com, mud-pie.com, proflowers.com, rossstores.com, teleflora.com, thepaperstore.com, and tjmaxx.tjx.com. Sites were ranked on proficiency in the following content and commerce competencies:
A Connected Content and Commerce Call to Action With the average documented online shopping cart abandonment rate hovering near 70%, online retailers are getting plenty of website traffic, but not having nearly as much success in sales conversions. Since the competition is only a mere click away, online retailers must offer a rich customer experience that's a more sustainable and profitable strategy beyond discounting. The key to providing this rich digital experience, says Episerver, is connecting content with commerce. "There's a lot of talk about connecting content and commerce in digital experience, but not a lot of action; few organizations are seamlessly integrating content and commerce," said Bob Egner, Vice President of Product Marketing for Episerver. "Aside from identifying digital experience leaders in the retail space and best practices, our U.S. Retail Benchmarking Study also provides valuable insights and a self-assessment framework to help retailers discern opportunities for improvement in their content and commerce strategies." Digital engagement scenarios require interoperability between digital commerce and Web Content Management (MCM), according to industry analyst firm Gartner. In a recent reporti, Gartner analysts say, "Digital business strategies are challenging companies to develop an engaging customer experience delivered through a combination of digital commerce and Web Content Management (WCM). Organizations are challenged when developing the necessary common vision for digital commerce and WCM, due primarily to both organizational and technology silos." Analysis for the U.S. Retail Website Benchmarking Study was conducted in September and October 2015 by a market research affiliate of Lutz Public Relations & Marketing Communications. About Episerver All third-party trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference purposes.
i Chris Fletcher, Mick MacComascaigh. "Create Digital Business Success With Better Interoperability Between Digital Commerce and Web Content Management," Gartner, April 22, 2015. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150621/224559LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-benchmarking-research-reveals-which-retailers-are-offering-the-best-digital-experience-this-holiday-gift-giving-season-300185204.html SOURCE Episerver |