2013-01-17 15:50:00 - Recently published research from Verdict Research, "Remote Shopping in the UK | Verdict Market Report", is now available at Fast Market Research

The remote retail sector is set to continue its recent strong performance in 2012 as online continues to drive the market. Online will be driven by more people gaining access to the internet and a greater proportion of those with access purchasing through the channel. However, as online matures, growth is set to slow and retailers will therefore have to adjust their offer to maintain growth.

Scope

* Gain an understanding of the key issues set to impact upon the market in the next five years and how to position yourself to capitalise on this.
* Develop new strategies based upon our forecasts for the different channels over the next five years.

Report Highlights

The remote market will grow by 11.4% in 2012

to GBP36,264m, with online driving this. The number of people with access for first time, up 3.6% on 2011, will drive this. However, growth will slow from 2011 onwards as online matures. TV shopping will also struggle as coverage is now total while offline mail order declines as shoppers shift to online.


Full Report Details at
- www.fastmr.com/prod/530254_remote_shopping_in_the_uk_|_verdict_m ..


More retailers are developing thier offline presence through thier own stores and collection points. While this benefits the remote retailer, as this can boost awareness of its offer and drive traffic to its websites, there are a number of challenges which remote retailers must consider such as space constraints and the number of stores they run.

Social media was used by remote retailers for promotion but it is now being used more to lead to transactions. This includes streaming live content on such websites and sharing potential purchases with friends. While potential exists to drive sales through this channel, it must be compelling and implicitly encourage purchases or it may be rebuffed.

Reasons to Get this Report

* In what ways are the remote and high street channels merging and how can remote retailers take advantage of these changes?
* How can retailers in struggling channels improve performance by encouraging greater online spend?
* Which retailers are set to make the greatest gains in the overall remote market, online, through direct mail order and agency mail order?

Partial Table of Contents:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Key findings
The market will maintain growth as online continues to grow
The performance of online is set to impact upon traditional mail order significantly
Despite the market's weakness, mail order retailers must be careful how it serves offline customers
TV shopping channels should develop their tablet offer further
As online has a greater share of the market, its slowdown will impact on overall remote
Social media set to be used more by remote retailers to facilitate transactions
Main conclusions
The market will maintain growth as online continues to grow
The performance of online is set to impact upon traditional mail order significantly
Despite the market's weakness, mail order retailers must be careful how they serve offline customers
TV shopping channels should develop their tablet offer further
As online has a greater share of the market, its slowdown will impact on overall remote
Social media is set to be used more by remote retailers to facilitate transactions
KEY ISSUES
Pureplay retailers are creating more of an offline presence
With many physical stores developing their online offer, remote retailers are creating an offline presence
One of the main benefits of such stores is increasing public awareness of the brand
Lockers would be mutually beneficial for customers, the remote retailer, and the host store
The retailer should also benefit from the high vacancy rates on the high street
Building a physical presence is an opportunity to drive customers to its website
The introduction of space constraints could also be an issue for remote retailers
The number of stores these retailers should open should be kept under tight control
The flagship model could be developed further with the introduction of a concurrent satellite model
Managing the tail-off of offline shoppers
Over the forecast period, mail order sales excluding online and door-to-door are set to decline significantly
While continuing catalogues is important, costs must be kept under control and it should drive online
Typical mail order shoppers tend to be older and less affluent, and are underrepresented online
The two main issues for both groups are a lack of access and being unsure how to buy online
Partnering with an Internet provider to launch a cheap online package could reap rewards for retailers
Making their website as intuitive as possible with access to help would also boost performance
Greater use of rich content can be used to ensure that less affluent shoppers return to the website
The role and importance of social media and building communities for remote retailers is changing
The role of social media is changing from creating awareness to facilitating a transaction
Using social media is not enough; to generate sales retailers must provide a compelling offer
A recent example of this was Littlewoods' live stream on Facebook
eBay's Christmas pop-up shop is another example of creating something compelling from social media
The use of virtual changing rooms and magic mirrors allows customers to gain feedback before purchase
ASOS Fashion Finder could overcome the difficulty of making impulse purchases online
If the trial of Facebook Collections is successful, it will make it easier to sell through social media

Full Table of Contents is available at:
-- www.fastmr.com/catalog/product.aspx?productid=530254&dt=t

About Verdict Group

With over 20 years' experience, Verdict Research is the UK's leading authority on retailing, and publishes unrivalled independent analysis. Verdict reports, forecasts, briefings, consumer research and bespoke consulting services provide clients with a complete picture of the UK and international retail arena, helping retailers, manufacturers, service suppliers, city analysts and consultants to fully exploit opportunities within the sector. View more research from Verdict Research at www.fastmr.com/catalog/publishers.aspx?pubid=1005

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.

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