TBC News

Tag: e-commerce

  • Rocksbox Expands Boutique Jewelry Concept

    Rocksbox Expands Boutique Jewelry Concept

    Rocksbox, the jewelry retailer known for redefining the way customers shop for accessories, is expanding its footprint by opening brick-and-mortar stores throughout the country, starting with New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area. The new jewelry destinations are designed to bring community, discovery, and style to fashion-forward markets.

    “Rocksbox’s curated multi-brand assortment and boutique-like environment are resonating across our target audience of fashion loving self-purchasers, and with the growth currently being driven by this segment of the market, retail is a very exciting opportunity for us as a brand,” stated Allison Vigil, Rocksbox President

    Born as a subscription brand and now part of the Signet Jewelers portfolio, Rocksbox made its name through a unique try-on subscription service. Today, it has evolved into an omnichannel destination where shoppers can experience jewelry brand favorites up close.

    The assortment includes fashion, demi-fine, fine, and lab-created diamond jewelry, with 18 curated brands under one roof. This includes in-house lines Rocksbox and Rocksbox Redefined, plus Kendra Scott, Kate Spade, Ana Luisa, Luv AJ, and more, offering a wide variety of styles at accessible price points, most under $300.

    The Rocksbox boutiques are designed to encourage experimentation and self-expression. With open-concept displays, vanity mirrors, shopping trays, and a central styling table, the space invites customers to try-on and stack pieces freely. Store associates act as stylists, helping guests discover new favorites for everyday wear and special occasions.

    The opening comes at a time when in-store shopping is resurging, particularly among Gen Z and Millennial consumers who opt for the experience and ambiance of in-store discovery. According to a recent study by Adyen, 73% of Gen Z shop in-store weekly, highlighting that it enhances their overall shopping experience, including online shopping because they can pick-up and do returns at a physical store. Rocksbox is meeting this trend with a tactile, consumer-focused experience.

    The New York SoHo location, located at 239 Elizabeth Street, is now officially open joining existing stores in San Francisco and Walnut Creek, CA. For more details, please visit www.rocksbox.com.

    About Rocksbox
    Rocksbox was founded in 2012 to transform the way customers discover and buy jewelry. Starting as a direct-to-consumer subscription service, the brand has expanded into retail locations to meet customers where they are. Rocksbox is a proud member of Signet Jewelers Limited brands. www.rocksbox.com

  • Strong Optimism for Holiday Sales Surge Among APAC Businesses and Consumers, Research Says

    Strong Optimism for Holiday Sales Surge Among APAC Businesses and Consumers, Research Says

    The holiday shopping season is already in full swing and Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, shared insights from its latest survey on this year’s festive shopping season in the Asia Pacific region.

    Conducted in October 2024, the survey gathered responses from 200 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and 300 consumers across 12 APAC markets, exploring their expectations, purchasing motivations, and concerns for the festive season, while identifying key trends shaping customer behavior during this time. 

    According to the findings, 70% of SMEs expect year-on-year sales growth this festive season, with nearly 80% forecasting this growth in sales from within Asia—especially from Southeast Asia. This optimism aligns with broader market trends, as Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market grew in double digits in 2024, driven by increased digital adoption and cross-border trade​. Additionally, intra-Asia trade continues its robust expansion, with projections indicating it will surpass $13.5 trillion by 2030. 

    The survey reveals key growth opportunities for SMEs: 

    • Over half (57%) of consumers prefer shopping on e-commerce platforms, with 70% motivated by substantial festive discounts and promotions. 
    • Free delivery continues to play a crucial role in shaping the shopping experience and driving purchases among consumers. Equally, consumers expect their orders to arrive within two to three business days, with convenient delivery options.
    • Consumers want to see businesses develop more sustainable online shopping practices and are willing to pay a premium for sustainable packaging when purchasing gifts, reinforcing the opportunity for businesses to differentiate themselves in the crowded e-commerce marketplaces by offering sustainable options.

    “In the Asia Pacific region, the gifting season continues in the months leading up to Christmas through to Lunar New Year,” said Kawal Preet, president, Asia Pacific, FedEx. “As cross-border e-commerce continues to surge, e-tailers—particularly small and medium-sized businesses— are gearing up to maximize sales this festive season. Through our extensive network and smart, intuitive digital solutions, we empower these businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences, streamline holiday shipping, and thrive in this competitive landscape.”

    More details on the survey findings:

    To drive sales, SMEs must tap on E-commerce Platforms

    E-commerce continues to capture an increasing share of retail spending. The survey reveals that over four-fifths (87%) of SMEs are leveraging third-party e-commerce platforms to broaden customer reach and enhance sales opportunities.

    Significant online shopping events like Double Eleven, Black Friday, Cyber Monday play a key role in driving consumer engagement during the holiday season. Notably, over half (57%) of consumers prefer shopping on e-commerce platforms, with 70% motivated by substantial discounts and promotions, highlighting the importance of these events for both e-tailers and consumers​.

    To maximize their impact, e-tailers are innovating through personalized customer offerings, such as live streaming for sales and product demonstrations, alongside robust social media promotions. Survey findings reveal that SMEs consider reliable shipping, competitive pricing, and digital tools crucial for meeting international shipping needs during this busy period, with 48% of e-merchants seeking additional support from logistics providers to manage peak volumes.

    FedEx’s comprehensive e-commerce solutions is supporting e-tailers to streamline order fulfillment. The company has integrated its Ship Manager platform, with leading e-commerce marketplaces such as Shopify and BigCommerce, allowing APAC e-tailers to create shipments and manage paperwork directly from their online orders. Such easy-to-use, friction-free services are crucial for e-commerce merchants, especially during the busy holiday season when order volumes increase significantly.

    According to the survey, sustainability is no longer an optional extra for SMEs looking to expand their e-commerce operations; it has become an essential aspect of the decision-making process for consumers. SMEs can make informed choices by analyzing their supply chains and utilizing tools like FedEx® Sustainability Insights, which helps businesses measure the historical carbon footprint of their shipments, making emissions reporting more accessible and transparent. 

    About the Survey

    This online survey was conducted by Milieu Insight in October 2024 across 12 Asia Pacific markets including Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. 200 small and medium businesses (SMEs) engaged in cross-border e-commerce alongside 300 consumers who actively shop online were polled.

  • Shoppedia and J&T Express Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize E-commerce Delivery in the Philippines

    Shoppedia and J&T Express Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize E-commerce Delivery in the Philippines

    Shoppedia, the innovative new e-commerce platform set to launch on November 8, today announced a landmark partnership with J&T Express, the nation’s leading courier service, in a move that promises to redefine online shopping delivery in the Philippines.

    The two companies formalized their collaboration in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony held at the Privato Hotel this afternoon.

    The partnership brings together Shoppedia’s commitment to providing a curated and authentic online marketplace with J&T Express’s extensive nationwide network and dedication to fast, reliable delivery.

    “This partnership is driven by our shared passion for customer satisfaction and a vision to elevate the e-commerce experience in the Philippines,” said Neil G. La-as, CEO of Shoppedia, during the press conference.

    “By leveraging J&T Express’s unparalleled reach and operational excellence, we can ensure that our customers receive their orders quickly and efficiently, no matter where they are in the country.”

    Zoe Chi, Brand Director at J&T Express, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are excited to partner with Shoppedia in this endeavor. This collaboration allows us to contribute to the growth of e-commerce in the Philippines by providing a seamless and reliable delivery experience for Shoppedia’s customers.”

    Enhancing the Customer Experience

    The partnership aims to significantly enhance the overall customer experience for Shoppedia users by focusing on:

    · Delivery Speed: Leveraging J&T Express’s extensive network and optimized delivery routes to ensure faster delivery times.

    · Reliability: Utilizing J&T Express’s robust tracking system and reliable delivery processes to minimize delays and ensure consistent service.

    · Service Quality: Providing proactive communication and dedicated customer support channels to address any delivery-related inquiries or concerns.

    Innovation and Future Plans

    Shoppedia and J&T Express are exploring innovative solutions to further enhance the delivery experience, including:

    · Integrated Tracking: Seamlessly integrating J&T Express’s tracking system into the Shoppedia platform for real-time order tracking.

    · Flexible Delivery Options: Offering a wider range of delivery options, including same-day or next-day delivery in select areas.

    · Optimized Logistics: Collaborating on optimizing logistics and warehouse operations to improve efficiency and reduce delivery times.

    While the initial focus is on serving the Philippine market, both companies expressed their ambition to potentially expand this partnership to other regions in the future, contributing to the growth of e-commerce across Southeast Asia.

    This strategic alliance between Shoppedia and J&T Express marks a significant step towards creating a more seamless, efficient, and customer-centric e-commerce ecosystem in the Philippines. With a shared commitment to innovation and service excellence, both companies are poised to redefine the online shopping experience for Filipino consumers.

  • Your Personal Shopper Just Got Smarter: Introducing Amazon’s AI Guides

    Your Personal Shopper Just Got Smarter: Introducing Amazon’s AI Guides

    Amazon has launched AI Shopping Guides, an innovative feature aimed at transforming the online shopping experience for U.S. customers.

    These guides utilize advanced generative AI to deliver tailored product information, making it easier for consumers to make informed choices.

    Available on the Amazon Shopping app and mobile website, the guides cover over 100 product categories, from electronics to skincare.

    Dan Lloyd, Amazon’s vice president of personalization, stated that these guides serve as trusted product experts, consolidating essential details for shoppers.

    With AI Shopping Guides, customers can seamlessly navigate options like camping gear or running shoes, receiving personalized recommendations based on their unique needs.

    For example, when searching for a moisturizer, users can specify their skin type to find the perfect match.

    The introduction of Rufus, Amazon’s AI shopping assistant, enhances this experience by providing instant answers to customer queries.

    By employing large language models, Amazon ensures that the information remains current and relevant amid changing market trends.

    As Lloyd noted, while still in its early stages, there is optimism that AI Shopping Guides will revolutionize how consumers discover and explore products.

    Customers can access these guides through search suggestions or directly on the Amazon homepage.

  • Consumers ‘not happy’ with retail experiences

    Consumers ‘not happy’ with retail experiences

    As the retail landscape faces mounting pressure from evolving consumer expectations and economic headwinds, a new global study from the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value, reveals a widening gap between shopper demands and the current retail offering.

    The third biennial consumer study, “Revolutionize retail with AI everywhere: Customers won’t wait,” surveyed nearly 20,000 global consumers and reveals a dissatisfaction with retail experiences, with only 9% of consumers surveyed saying they are content with in-store and 14% content with online shopping.

    Yet technology could play an important role in enhancing the overall shopping experience, with over half of the respondents indicating they are eager for AI enhancements like virtual assistants (55%) and AI applications (59%) as they shop. Influenced by inflation, six in ten consumers surveyed also say inflation has impacted how they shop, with 62% saying that price is a top reason they switch stores or brands.

    “In the face of rapidly shifting consumer expectations and the stark realities of today’s economic picture for households, the retail sector is presented with an ongoing challenge—and an unprecedented opportunity,” said Luq Niazi, Global Managing Director at IBM.

    “We are seeing that today’s consumers, faced with more choices and channels than ever, are increasingly making their purchasing decisions based on the cost and the quality of experiences that retailers provide. The IBM IBV Consumer 2024 Study underscores an opportunity for retailers to integrate AI and other technologies into both digital and physical shopping experiences to meet these changing consumer demands and their economic challenges. Leveraging advances in AI technologies, retailers can forge ahead into a new era of commerce and fulfillment, leading with innovation to create shopping experiences that are as intuitive, unified, personalized and efficient.”

    Noteworthy findings from the study include:

    In-Store Experience Lacks Luster: Despite a preference for physical stores by 73% of those surveyed, only 9% are satisfied with the in-store experience. Consumers surveyed want greater variety of products available (37%), more information about products (26%), and faster checkout (26%) in stores. Most consumers surveyed (65%) are supplementing their in-store experience by using mobile apps while shopping — demonstrating a trend toward a digitally integrated in-store experience.
    Online Shopping Shortcomings: Online retail isn’t immune to criticism; two-thirds of consumers surveyed discover new products via the web, yet many have expressed dissatisfaction with their online shopping journey, citing challenges finding the products they want (36%), not enough information about products (33%), and a cumbersome return process (33%).

    Consumers Desire Digital Integration: Consumers surveyed showed a strong interest in using AI technology to enhance various aspects of their shopping. Most consumers (59%) said they would like to use AI applications as they shop and 4 in 5 consumers who haven’t used the technology for shopping reported an interest in trying it. Personalization and targeted offerings are in demand, with 52% of consumers surveyed interested in receiving information, advertisements, and offerings from stores that are relevant to their specific interests. Yet there remains a stark satisfaction gap for current AI assistant users surveyed. Only about one-third of responding consumers who have used virtual assistants are satisfied with the experience and nearly 20% were so disappointed that they don’t want to use virtual assistants again, signaling a mismatch between current tech offerings and shopper expectations.

    Economic Forces at Play: Economic challenges, particularly inflation, are influencing shopping behaviors. Consumers surveyed are seeking flexible payment options, with 55% desiring more varied payment options and 46% reporting they would like to pay for their purchase in installments. As inflation and economic uncertainty pinch pocketbooks, 62% of consumers surveyed also say price is a top reason they would switch stores or brands.

    Revolutionize retail with AI everywhere: Customers won’t wait underscores the urgent need for retailers to innovate and integrate advanced technologies, such as AI, to elevate the shopping experience. The study also serves as a resource for retailers, outlining actionable strategies to help these businesses meet changing consumer demands.

  • These women entrepreneurs are slaying!

    These women entrepreneurs are slaying!

    As the Christmas season approaches, entrepreneurs seek clever adaptations and strategies to maximize their business productivity. Enstack, the all-in-one digital business app championing women entrepreneurs, invited several businesswomen to share their innovative “business hacks” at the EmpowHER: Christmas Bazaar, held in Bonifacio Global City, November 30. 

    Enrilyn Lee of EFR Subic Yacht Rentals shared that they successfully transformed their business by leveraging Enstack’s digital tools to accept debit and credit card payments. Through Enstack’s easy onboarding process, they can now accommodate international card payments, expanding their market and attracting a global clientele.

    “We’ve adopted credit card transactions as our primary payment method, utilizing Enstack’s mobile POS and generating payment links for buyers. This convenient solution has opened doors to a broader customer base, ensuring secure transactions. It feels like having an extra department, an extra helping hand in our business,” shared Lee.

    Enstack has also played a pivotal role in the growth journey of businesses like Scarlet Enterprise. Arlette Alvarado, Founder and General Manager of Scarlet Enterprise, reflects on their 17-year journey: “Our business, which began as a humble retail venture, has now become our bread and butter. Today, we predominantly engage in B2B transactions through distributorship, and Enstack’s seamless sales invoicing feature has been the key to making this remarkable transition possible.”

    Macy Castillo, CEO, and co-founder of Enstack, believes in the potential of Filipino entrepreneurs and emphasizes the important role of MSMEs in the country’s overall economic growth.

    “At Enstack, we believe that everyone has the potential to be a successful entrepreneur with the right tools, access, and resources. We encourage our users to challenge the conventional use of our app, to adapt and tailor it to their unique business needs. The innovative ways in which our users employ Enstack’s features not only demonstrate their resourcefulness and adaptability but also embody our mission to empower entrepreneurs. We are committed to providing a platform that fosters such entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.” stated Castillo.

    Moreover, other women entrepreneurs highlighted how Enstack’s inventory monitoring, invoicing, payment collection, and shipping features streamlined their operations.