E-shock 2000: The Electronic Shopping Revolution - Strategies for Retailers and Manufacturers (Macmillan Business) Book

As science fiction rapidly becomes science fact, the wired world of online commerce is transforming the way businesses operate and people live their lives. In E-Shock 2000, Michael de Kare-Silver reports on the advent of mass electronic shopping and the impact of this new industrial revolution on retailers and manufacturers. Retailers are in a dilemma. Whilst accepting the opportunities and challenges presented by e-commerce, many remain ambivalent towards it, fearing "their sizeable investments in their physical retail estates are being undermined." Furthermore, "they are reluctant to encourage their consumers to think and act electronically, not wanting to see cannibalisation of store sales and drop in store traffic." According to Michael de Kare-Silver, indecision could be the one thing preventing established retailers from extending their dominance of consumer shopping patterns." Standing still carries a high risk of disintermediation [but] in principle, retailers remain best placed [to triumph]. After all, they are closest to the end consumer, they have that relationship right now. They have built strong consumer franchises reinforced by their own brands and reward and loyalty bonuses. They have the best database for telling who their customers are, what their habits and preferences are." Equally, for manufacturers, electronic shopping offers a new dynamism and new potential to reach the end consumer directly--bypassing the traditional routes to market; this means more squeeze for the retailers but E-Shock 2000 is about embracing positives, not retreating and consolidating. Chapters on the future growth of e-shopping, the suitability of specific products for electronic sale, strategies for retailers, store development and customer attraction as well as material on the manufacturing response add up to an important overview of the future of electronic retail. Utopian dreams of a wired world have a tendency to stray into whimsical territory and the same is true here--"with chores out of the way, basic shopping done and delivered, financial affairs taken care of, a whole new world of consumer opportunity opens up. Suddenly there's more time for family and friends. There's the opportunity to relax, pursue hobbies and have more quality leisure time"--but the impact on the retailer will be no fantasy. Fully revised and updated after only 12 months in print, such is the speed of the new economy, E-Shock 2000 is an unmissable journey into the future of electronic commerce. --Iain CampbellRead More