New research finds UK retailers are failing to implement adequate social commerce solutions
New research finds UK retailers are failing to implement adequate social commerce solutions
Top retailers are failing to capitalise on a rapidly growing e-commerce market sector, with many still having inadequate social commerce solutions, new research has revealed.
The study, which analysed the social and mobile commerce sites of the annual IMRG/Hitwise ‘Hot 100’ top UK retailers in June 2011, has revealed serious shortcomings in many brands’ e-commerce strategies.
According to the research carried out by integrated mobile and social commerce technology providers One iota, only one e-retailer – ASOS – offered a fully transactional Facebook shopping experience to its customers. This is despite 75% of the top 100 retailers having Facebook pages – a 10% rise since the beginning of the year.
Faster growing rate of adoption
In January, One iota revealed that 80% of e-retailers did not cater for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets (March/April 2011 Retail Technology magazine). This number had improved significantly over the last six months. The number of retailers in the top 100 providing a mobile commerce site has risen from 20% to 33%. In addition, 4% of retailers now cater for mobiles through mobile apps.
However, despite the improvement, only 26 of the 100 e-retailers surveyed offered a fully transactional mobile site, which allows shoppers to make purchases via their devices.
Damian Hanson, co-founder and chief executive of One iota, commented: “Our research shows that many retailers still aren’t up to scratch in terms of their e-commerce strategy. Each Facebook fan translates into 20 extra visits to a brand’s website in one year – retailers need to wake up to the opportunity that social commerce is offering them.
Missing out on easy wins
“Optimised mobile internet and social commerce sites are simple to develop. By engaging with customers in an environment where they spend a growing proportion of their time – on Facebook or on their mobile phones – retailers can maximise the opportunity to sell and open up new revenue streams.”
Research into the way brands use Facebook also revealed that Zara overtook Topshop in ‘Facebook fan’ rankings. An e-commerce rollout by the Spanish retailer has seen Zara enter the top of the IMRG Hot 100 list, with over nine million Facebook fans. However, the company is yet to capitalise on its ranking with a transactional Facebook page.
Hanson added: “It’s clear that retailers need to innovate in order to compete within the marketplace, but progress appears to be slow. E-commerce, and in particular social and mobile commerce, is a necessity for brands and retailers, particularly in the current economic climate.”
One iota recently signed up retailers Republic and and Wynsors.
