Here are some pointers to consider when establishing or reviewing an online retail service.

The strategy that has made supply chain organizations effective over the last decade is not likely to be what makes them effective in the next.

Fighting value retailers over pure price is a tough battle. A better one for own stores might be to provide a more unique shopping experience with industry best-in-class service, where shoppers can test products in a safe and inspiring environment

Learn how you can embed sustainability into supply chain management.

As consumers make trade-offs and prices stabilize, understanding consumer behaviors, needs, and preferences will make your offerings "sticky.

In the new digital era, do organizations have a false sense of security, perhaps even complacency, resulting from their investments in non-agile risk management tools and processes they have relied on for years?

As the balance of power in the retail value chain tips, manufacturers have a window of opportunity to make plans for their own transition.

To date, many retailers have attempted to compete against Amazon on the basis of price and convenience. This race-to-the-bottom approach sought to address the twin pressures of a struggling economy and the changing behaviors of price-conscious consumers. Unfortunately, it has generally only enjoyed modest success.

Supply chain financing provides financing and payment options that are negotiated to improve each trading partner's financial position.

To compete in today's complex, multi-channel retail environment, retailers must provide access to merchandise when, how, and where shoppers want it. To execute on that goal, many companies are integrating a ship-from-store model as part of the fulfillment supply chain.

Three Steps to Better Alignment Between Retail Merchandising and Supply Chain
Predictix - 2013

The report underlines the steps of how 'to win the hearts and minds of consumers'. It also examines the need amongst omni-channel retailers to deliver exceptional performance every day. It is relevant for retailers-since it focusses on how to fulfill customer orders at any time, through any channel, with complete alignment between their demand forecast and supply chain systems.

"Mobile Commerce in Retail: A look at the opportunities provided by mobile commerce in the retail industry"
GSMA - July 2013

Mobile commerce services is pivotal in bolstering  bricks and mortar stores and ensuring that high streets can  survive and thrive. This paper targets policy makers and uses international examples to detail a compelling vision of how mobile commerce can transform retailing. It lists practical steps that mobile operators can take today to partner with retailers, where policy makers and government are not proactive. Crucially, GSMA has crafted this paper keeping the single most important stakeholder - the CONSUMER - in mind.

Global Powers of Retailing 2013: Retail Beyond
Deloitte - 2013

The report provides an in-depth analysis on why the traditional retailers must find opportunities to seamlessly embed the virtual world into their retail strategy by developing in-store and online technologies that allow them to create and maintain meaningful and sincere connections with customers across all channels.

A company can have a slick website design and great products, but these factors aren't enough to convert visits into sales. To help turn those extra visits into extra revenue, try the following five strategies.