5 E-commerce Trends Worth Watching This Week

Well, folks, we’ve made it to another Friday. But if you’re looking for some light reading this weekend, check out these 5 articles that explore trends shaping e-commerce in the coming months and years:

1. The Shop.org blog details five top trends from PSFK’s Future of Retail 2014 report . Definitely worth the read.
2. This week’s Thinks Out Loud podcast dove into why the future of social and mobile marketing is happening right now — and what it means for your e-commerce business now and in the future.
3. For those hotel marketers among you, check out this Hotel News Now article that I wrote about balancing direct and indirect business . And, even if you’re outside the hotel space, the general principles apply to any brand-direct vs. third-party e-commerce sites.
4. Speaking of hotel marketing (and rules that apply across verticals), hospitality marketers, retailers, and other consumer brands can benefit from learning these 4 rules of social marketing . Given the rise of reviews and ratings leading to social influence of e-commerce decisions, it’s well worth the read.
5. eMarketer offers a fascinating look at the growing trend of customers buying online and picking up those purchases in-store . Definitely a trend that highlights what I mean when I say “it’s all e-commerce.”

Hey, speaking of e-commerce, you may also enjoy these slides from another recent speaking engagement “Elements of E-commerce: How Digital Storytelling Drives Revenue and Results” here:

If you’re interested in learning even more about the future of e-commerce and marketing via the social, local, mobile web, register to receive a special report I’ve produced in conjunction with hotel marketing firm Vizergy, “Digital Hotel Marketing in a Multiscreen World.” While it’s targeted specifically at hotel and resort marketers, the lessons apply to just about any business. You can get your free copy of the report here .

You might also enjoy some of our past coverage of the social, local, mobile web and what it means for your business, including:

• What Your Customers Expect from Mobile and E-commerce in 2014 .
• The Secrets Behind “It’s All E-commerce” for 2014
• Should Marketers Really Trust Google in 2014?
• The Zen of Digital Marketing Strategy
• 7 Steps to E-Commerce Heaven
• Today and Tomorrow: Mobile and The Changing Customer Journey
• Mobile Makes E-commerce Even More “Frictionless”
• Your 2014 Internet Marketing New Year’s Resolutions – Thinks Out Loud Episode 56