Basics of eCommerce Personalization

Get your house in order first.

That should always be the rule to live by.

Low hanging fruit, etc.

However it is shocking to find basic advice along those lines is still necessary especially when its something new involved where we lack a basic comfort level with the subject.  The reactionary response is to seek help from outside to address this new "something".

Try looking inside first. 

Good little article:

https://www.clickz.com/5-first-party-data-strategies-personalization/213990/

Here is a snippet from the piece:

Every brand understands—or should understand—the importance of data. And no data is more valuable than first-party shopper behavior data, which is derived directly from your customers. Since first-party data comes straight from the source, this eliminates any games of telephone, enabling marketers to better understand—and build stronger relationships with—their customers.

Clearly brick & mortar retailers want the same approach but it is far more challenging when dealing with in-store interactions.  This article's value is best seen by the online players or the omnichannel play for traditional retailers.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

BRotD - Entry 0256 Smart Clothing

Best Reading of the Day

This fine little write-up is well worth your time.

Smart Clothes.

Okay, okay, yes it sounds ridiculous and probably will be for a while yet but crazier things have happened.

What is the utility?  That's the key.  Do we find some in this article?  Judge for yourself.

Here is the full article:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/levis-smart-jacket-changed-how-i-use-my-phone/

Here is a snippet from the piece:

The cuff on the left arm is woven with a conductive fiber, as well as a special-grade polyester that allows it to act as a touch sensor; the rest of the jacket is traditional Levi’s cotton-based denim. You can feel a slight difference in material when you touch the denim part of the jacket, and then touch the cuff. It’s not easily noticeable, though, which is important to maintaining a traditional look.

I've seen a bit on smart clothing and when it comes to these, even the classic electric blanket, I have to admit I have visions of being enmeshed in electronic clothing that catches fire.  Ugh.  Not a pretty picture.  People, well, most people, got over that for the electric blanket lines.  If there's sufficient benefit to this line of connected clothing then people will buy them.

This prototype takes the same basic approach as the smart watch.  It isn't a replacement for your smart phone, it complements it so you don't have to reach for your phone.  Yes, that right there might be enough to sell units. Not bad.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Mobile Retail

The Mobile Marketing folks recently organized a summit on "Mobile Retail" and captured what they consider the best quotes from the summit.  It is worth a read for anyone interested in tech, mobile, or retail.

Here is the full story:

http://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/the-10-best-quotes-from-our-mobile-retail-summit

Here is a part of the piece:

Our day was kicked off by Jat Sahi of Fujitsu, who explored how mobile and digital was disrupting not just traditional working practices, but entire sectors and business models, and what retailers can do to keep pace with the speed of change.

I'm of course solidly in the camp that sees how disruptive technology is.  However, it is the customer that matters.  Tech alone will not solve problems.  How we provide for people, their wants and needs, does matter.

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant