Corresponding with the growing number of mobile users among shoppers, retailers overwhelmingly agree that mobile must be the number one priority for their digital business in 2014.
According to the 2014 Shop.org/Forrester Research survey, State Of Retailing Online, which surveyed 70 retailers in October and November 2013, more than half (53%) marked mobile efforts as a top priority, identifying responsive design, mobile site optimisation, and tablet redesign among key focus areas.
“Retailers grew their digital business with impressive strength in 2013, reflecting their laser focus on improving customer experience across all of their channels and on striving for a ‘mobile first’ mind-set that will be a key driver in all business decisions,” says Shop.org executive director Vicki Cantrell.
“In 2014, they will continue investing to further their relationships with customers, exploring everything from personalisation and site usability to all things mobile.”
Retailers understand how crucial a well-executed mobile strategy is to their overall growth: On average, retailers’ total 2013 smartphone revenue grew 113% over 2012, and tablet revenue grew 86% over the same period. The survey also found that 21% of retailers’ web revenue derived from either a smartphone or tablet in 2013.
Digital retailing fundamentals such as improved usability and conversion rates continue to be important for retailers, and this year loyalty and CRM efforts also figure prominently on priority lists. For instance, more than one-third (36%) of retailers surveyed are prioritising improved marketing efforts as they continue to focus on both retaining and acquiring new customers.
In fact, repeat customers in 2014 will grow in importance: The survey found that half (51%) of Web revenues are being driven by these shoppers and nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents note that repeat customers drove more web sales in 2013 than in 2012.
Many retailers will also prioritise site redesign in 2014, with more than four in 10 (46%) retailers surveyed planning to engage in some site overhaul. Efforts will focus on site personalisation and usability enhancements or on the reconfiguration of the core site experience to improve conversion rates.
As retailers report average conversion rates of approximately 2,7%, even small gains can bring meaningful revenue growth.
With 82% of retailers surveyed reporting sales growth in 2013, online retailers must begin to look at new areas of opportunity for continued growth in the coming year.
“Online retailers have proven themselves to be resourceful, resilient, and tenacious — thriving in spite of fluctuations in the economy,” says Forrester Research VP and principal analyst Sucharita Mulpuru.
“But to continue building on this story of growth, retailers should begin to focus on new areas of opportunity in 2014, such as improving mobile conversion rates and taking an omni-channel-centric business approach.”
The State Of Retailing Online research series, which provides e-business and channel strategy professionals with annual industry benchmarks of marketing and business investment and activities, surveyed 70 companies. Industries surveyed included apparel, footwear, general merchandise, home furnishings, and personal care.