. Earth Science News .




.
TRADE WARS
Internet lets US export consumer lifestyle
by Staff Writers
San Francisco (AFP) Dec 21, 2011


As gift-buying frenzy mounts in the days before Christmas, US retailers are exporting the country's shopping culture along with once hard-to-get goods to locales around the world.

Spending at US "e-commerce" websites climbed 15 percent from the previous year by the start of December, and online sales on the "Cyber Monday" after Thanksgiving set a new record high of $1.25 billion, according to comScore.

The international share of the Cyber Monday shopping tally climbed to nearly seven percent, the industry tracker reported.

"Black Friday and Cyber Monday are definitely American exports," said Michael DeSimone, chief executive of New York-based FiftyOne Inc., which specializes in helping US store websites handle international transactions.

FiftyOne tends to shipping, tariff, currency exchange and other logistical hassles that discouraged US shops from catering to customers in other countries.

Increasingly, instead of having to travel to the United States for a coveted brand of jeans or t-shirts, people outside the country can simply order online, according to DeSimone.

Sales handled by FiftyOne this holiday season so far have more than doubled from last year.

FiftyOne clients include US retail titans Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Sears, as well as Aeropostale, Barneys New York, Crate & Barrel and online-only "flash sales" sensation Gilt.

Gilt has added tens of thousands of new members since it went international in November with FiftyOne's help, according to Gilt senior director of logistics Crystal Caligiuri.

Gilt sales are modeled after New York City sample sales in which people queue outside shops for chances to buy brand-name products at deeply discounted prices while limited supplies last.

"It's first-come, first-served deals," Caligiuri said. "Whoever clicks on the mouse first gets it."

Since Gilt launched four years ago, it has been flooded with email requests to ship items to Russia, China, South America or elsewhere, but wasn't geared for international sales until November 8.

"We saw a lot of those customers storm in and shop," Caligiuri said. "It's been fun to watch."

US "e-tailers" are indoctrinating international shoppers into this country's rhythm when it comes to bargain hunting and seasonal discounting, according to DeSimone.

"Globalization means that consumers want to have the ultimate retail experience -- which really means having the American retail experience," DeSimone said.

"And consumers know when big buying days in the US are driving sales of the goods they want to purchase, so that also drives international purchasing."

Connecting with global shoppers also causes merchants to adapt to ways things are done in other countries or cultures.

For example, the season in a given hemisphere influences whether winter clothing or beach wear are discounted and US retailers can capitalize on sales pegged to local holidays in other countries.

"The changes in the way we have to think are numerous," Caligiuri said.

"We have to think about how our international customers are similar and how they are different," she continued. "The other important part is making sure the Web experience makes everyone feel comfortable and wanted."

US retailers' savvy regarding online commerce promises to make the array of items available to international shoppers current and varied, and to boost investment in online shopping across the board, according to DeSimone.

Related Links
Global Trade News




.
.
Get Our Free Newsletters Via Email
...
Buy Advertising Editorial Enquiries




.

. Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle



TRADE WARS
Taiwan lets Chinese lenders buy bank shares
Taipei (AFP) Dec 21, 2011
Taiwan will lift a ban put in place more than 60 years ago preventing Chinese banks from investing in the island's lenders, officials said on Wednesday. From January 2, individual Chinese banks can buy up to five percent of the shares in any given Taiwanese bank, while total Chinese shareholdings may go up to 10 percent, the Financial Supervisory Commission said. The decision removes a p ... read more


TRADE WARS
Small fire at Japan nuclear lab; no radiation leak

Geography, squatting blamed for Philippine floods

Microfinancing lifts tsunami-hit Japan firms

Flood-hit Philippines prepares for mass burials

TRADE WARS
Canada hunts for rare earth metals as China cuts back

Split decision in Microsoft smartphone patent case

Landmark discovery has magnetic appeal for scientists

New Take on Impacts of Low Dose Radiation

TRADE WARS
IDFC: India's water supply at risk

What are the prospects for sustaining high-quality groundwater

Dutch unveil latest plan in war against the sea: a sandbar

Ocean dead zones shrinking habitat for blue marlins, other tropical billfish and tunas

TRADE WARS
Central Asian glaciers resist warming

Scientists try to gauge permafrost gases

South Pole conquest hailed 100 years on with eye on climate

Antarctic expedition checks CryoSat down-under

TRADE WARS
Genome tree of life is largest yet for seed plants

A major step forward towards drought tolerance in crops

Sugar pump in plants identified

Artichokes grow big in Texas

TRADE WARS
Philippines buries its dead as flood toll tops 1,000

Aquino vows aid as Philippine flood toll tops 1,000

Philippine storm toll passes 900 as cities prepare burials

Nearly 600 dead and missing in Philippines storm

TRADE WARS
First Djibouti troops join AU Somalia force

US special forces in Central Africa for LRA rebel hunt

Casamance rebel faction condemns attack on Senegal troops

Kenya vows air strikes on far-flung Shebab towns

TRADE WARS
Mind reading machines on their way: IBM

I wanna talk like you

Starving orangutans might help to better understand obesity and eating disorders in humans

Follow your nose


.

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2012 - Space Media Network. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement