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6 Ways To Offer Free Shipping To Your Customers




Consumers are voting with their wallets and choosing eCommerce sites offering free shipping to their customers.

According to recent research by the firm comScore, 61 per cent of US consumers say they will cancel their purchase if free shipping isn't offered, according to a recent comScore survey.

With almost half of US transactions last year involving free shipping, consumers now feel free delivery charges should be the standard in online shopping.

For eCommerce operators considering offering such a perk to entice customers, here are six free shipping scenarios for e-tailers to consider:

1. Free shipping all the time

Some retailers are now offering totally free shipping on orders. This is a good way to encourage online shoppers to avoid going elsewhere.

2. Free shipping to members only

By paying an annual free to become a member, you will not incur any shipping charges on your orders. You will need to weigh up whether the original payment justifies the additional sales.

3. Free shipping with a minimum order size

This option encourages shoppers to spend more on your website. Even if they don't buy this time, they will spend longer browsing on your website and hopefully revisit it again.

4. Free shipping on certain products

The perfect way to grow your margins or rid yourself of excess stock. This is a good way to increase sales of products that you are finding hard to shift.

5. Free site-to-store shipping

Suitable for multichannel retailers with many stores in many locations. This is not suitable for site-to-door e-tailers.

6. Free return shipping

The easiest way to encourage consumers to buy online. You will also benefit from the sales where shoppers buy items and don't get round to returning the goods.

Fig 1.1. Profitero competitor price comparison service

About Profitero

Pricing intelligence company Profitero works with retailers and manufacturers to help them to grow sales and profit margins with the Profitero competitor price monitoring technology. We monitor 28 million products across 2,800 retail websites on your behalf. Click here to view a short video demo on Profitero's competitor pricing service. For more information on how we can help you increase your bottom line with our pricing intelligence system, visit our website www.profitero.com or email sales@profitero.com to request a free demo.


Smartphones Ultimate Shopping Companion In US




New research from Nielsen’s upcoming US Digital Consumer Report reveals that 29 per cent of smartphone owners use their phone for shopping-related activities.

Using smartphones to purchase items such as digital goods, clothing and accessories, tickets and daily deals are proving very popular with US shoppers. 

As consumers use their smartphones more and more for their retail-related activities, the US report highlights the preferred activities of mobile shoppers as:

·      in-store price comparisons (38% of mobile shoppers)

·      browsing products through mobile Web or apps (38%)

·       reading online product reviews (32%)

Fig 1.2. Mobile shopping activities research by Nielsen

Other activities that proved popular with apps users included searching for/using online coupons (24%), purchasing products (22%), scabbing a barcode for price/product information (22%) and using location-based services to find a retail location (18%).

The research, which was carried out in Q3 2011 highlighted additional consumer smartphone activities such as placing a bid through an online auction, purchasing tickets to events, purchasing music or video content and paying for goods or services at the point of sale. 

The research revealed that Apps downloads are growing - consumers downloaded twice as many shopping apps than they did in the previous year.

Fig 1.3. Profitero competitor price monitoring service

About Profitero

Pricing intelligence company Profitero works with retailers and manufacturers to help them to grow sales and profit margins with the Profitero competitor price monitoring technology. We monitor 28 million products across 2,800 retail websites on your behalf. Click here to view a short video demo on Profitero's competitor pricing service. For more information on how we can help you increase your bottom line with our pricing intelligence system, visit our website www.profitero.com or email sales@profitero.com to request a free demo.



UK Online Sales Up 16% Year-On-Year - CapGemini



UK online sales experienced year-on-year growth of 16 per cent, according to the latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. The online activity equated to £6 billion for the first month of 2012 i.e. £118 per person. In contrast to this strong performance, the British Retail Consortium reported traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ retailers indicated a year-on-year growth of just 2.1 per cent.

The areas of health & beauty and lingerie enjoyed the biggest yearly increase; the categories rose by 29 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. 

“The steady march of customers moving from the high street to online channels continues and if anything, accelerates as savvy shoppers look to make their wages stretch further,” said Chris Webster, head of retail consulting and technology at Capgemini.

“The January results reveal a solid start to the year for online retailers,” added
Tina Spooner, Chief Information Officer at IMRG.

The IMRG Capgemini Index tracks online sales i.e. transactions completed fully, including payment, via interactive channels' from any location, including in-store; the sales are predominantly internet-based.




Fig 1.1. Profitero competitor price monitoring service 
About Profitero


Pricing intelligence company Profitero works with retailers and manufacturers to help them to grow sales and profit margins with the Profitero competitor price monitoring technology. We monitor 28 million products across 2,800 retail websites on your behalf. Click here to view a short video demo on Profitero's competitor pricing service. For more information on how we can help you increase your bottom line with our pricing intelligence system, visit our website www.profitero.com or email sales@profitero.com to request a free demo.






Shoppers Choosing Prestige and Bargain Brands - Kantar Worldpanel



New competitor analysis research has revealed that premium brands and budget brands are now faring the best in the grocery and beauty categories.

A sharp trend in consumption patterns is taking place with the bottom and top ends of the market outperforming the centre, says Kantar Worldpanel, which tracks consumer behaviour in 30,000 UK households.

Strong sales were recorded at competitively priced discount retailers Aldi and Lidl over the past twelve months. Meanwhile, upmarket grocer Waitrose also had a successive trading year. Also, prestige and own-label beauty brands have displayed rapid growth while consumer cutbacks have been noted in the middle part of the market.

The 2011 combined rate of growth at Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose was almost triple that of the big four supermarkets. While the leading supermarkets have grown their own-label ranges to gain competitive pricing advantage with their pricing strategies, they are also seeing increased sales in premium ranges e.g. Sainsbury's has grown its own-label budget range by 10 per cent, it has also increased sales of its premium label Taste the Difference range by 12 per cent.

"Two nations of shoppers have emerged within the grocery market,” said Edward Garner, director at Kantar Worldpanel. “We only have to look at the strong performances of hard discounters Aldi and Lidl, who have seen a 9 per cent year-on-year increase while, at the other end of the price scale, Waitrose has achieved growth of 8 per cent."

Fig 1.1. Profitero competitor price monitoring service

About Profitero
Pricing intelligence company Profitero works with retailers and manufacturers to help them to grow sales and profit margins with the Profitero competitor price monitoring technology. We monitor 28 million products across 2,800 retail websites on your behalf. Click here to view a short video demo on Profitero's competitor pricing service. For more information on how we can help you increase your bottom line with our pricing intelligence system, visit our website www.profitero.com or email sales@profitero.com to request a free demo.


Carrefour Launching Own-Brand Beauty Line


French grocery retailer Carrefour is to introduce a new private label beauty range called Les Cosmétiques Design Paris.

Carrefour has announced that it will launch a new own-label range of beauty products in its home market. The Les Cosmétiques Design Paris own-label assortment, which will be available in stores in France from March, includes 650 products. It will replace Carrefour’s current make-up range; this will be followed by skin and haircare and toiletries in stores from May.


The new personal care range includes Essentials (toiletries), Nectar of Nature (containing 80 natural toiletries, including 20 certified organic products), Hydra Science (skincare), Age Science (anti-ageing skincare), Kéra Science Professional (hair care products), Body Ultimate (hammam body care) and Pro’s (make-up).

“Prices will range from 1 to 12,” said Carrefour’s international beauty director Marie-Caroline Renault. Carrefour's new range with its competitive pricing is sure to be a welcome addition to French supermarket cosmetic ranges. 

Les Cosmétiques Design Paris will also be available at Carrefour’s outlets in Belgium, Italy and Spain by the end of the year. It will also be rolled out to its Asian and South American stores from 2013.

Fig 1.1. Profitero's competitor price comparison service
About Profitero

Pricing intelligence company Profitero works with retailers and manufacturers to help them to grow sales and profit margins with the Profitero competitor price monitoring technology. We monitor 28 million products across 2,800 retail websites on your behalf. Click here to view a short video demo on Profitero's competitor pricing service. For more information on how we can help you increase your bottom line with our pricing intelligence system, visit our website www.profitero.com or email sales@profitero.com to request a free demo.

The Grocer 'Getting & Keeping A Supermarket Listing' Conference



The Grocer's Getting & Keeping a Listing in a Supermarket Conference will address how suppliers can secure and maintain their space in a supermarket.

Aimed at suppliers of all sizes, the conference will address how to get your foot in the door, addressing the skills suppliers need to negotiate with supermarkets and provide some insight from the buyer's point of view on how to keep the product on the shelves.

This conference brings together buyers, ex-buyers and experts to help suppliers to learn more about how to get and keep products on supermarket shelves. 


The conference will address issues including:

    - Securing a listing in a supermarket
    - Managing retailer relationships
    - Managing promotions and profit margins
    - Developing effective routes to market
    - Staying in a supermarket: How to negotiate with multiples
    - A legal review: The Groceries Supply Code of Practice

The conference is perfect for suppliers who are looking to gain insight into how supermarkets and supermarket buyers work. The speakers will provide insight into what makes for a successful product and how items get de-listed.

Early Bird Discount: To save £50 on the price of your ticket, book your place by March 31.

To book your place online, visit The Grocer website.

Fig 1.1. Profitero price comparison technology
About Profitero

Pricing intelligence company Profitero works with retailers and manufacturers to help them to grow sales and profit margins with the Profitero competitor price monitoring technology. We monitor 28 million products across 2,800 retail websites on your behalf. Click here to view a short video demo on Profitero's competitor pricing service. For more information on how we can help you increase your bottom line with our pricing intelligence system, visit our website www.profitero.com or email sales@profitero.com to request a free demo.




Profitero Buzz In The Press


Winning the IBM Smartcamp title of 'IBM Global Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012' has brought much media coverage to the doors of competitor price monitoring firm Profitero. 


Profitero recently beat off stiff competitor from almost 1,000 comapnies to win the IBM SmartCampGlobal Final competition; we were announced overal winners - the IBM Global Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 - at the global finals in San Francisco, California on February 2.




The media coverage that being named IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year brought us has also been fantastic.  Being mentioned in the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post was incredible while US market watchers The Street named Profitero one of 5 Start-Ups Big Tech Is Eyeing In 2012. Being mentioned alongside Big Blue goes a long way with clients and leads!

Here's a selection of the press coverage of Profitero in 2012:

IBM Looks To Start-Ups For Help With Analytics Revolution – Wall Street Journal Feb 2012
5 Start-Ups Big Tech Is Eyeing in 2012 – The Street Feb 2012

Profitero Named IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year – Wall Street Journal Feb 2012

Profitero wins IBM’s top entrepreneur honor – Washington Post Feb 2012

IBM Corp. picks Profitero as top entrepreneur of the year – San Francisco Business Times Feb 2012

Dublin firm Profitero wins IBM global award – Irish Times Feb 2012

Profitero named IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year – Silicon Republic Feb 2012

Build the start-up ecosystem and the entrepreneurs will come – Irish Times Jan 2012

Irish start-up to compete for IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year – Silicon Republic Jan 2012

Start-up of the day: Profitero - Sunday Business Post Jan 2012

Profitero takes on the world – Digital Times Jan 2012

As well as the media coverage that the IBM win has brought us, having access to the experience and range of IBM SmartCamp mentors has also been incredible - entrepreneurs, VCs and IBM’ers - we’ve made some really key contacts from the SmartCamp competition!

Visit http://www.profitero.com/help/about to read more recent press coverage on Profitero.


Fig 1.1. Profitero competitor price monitoring service

About Profitero


Pricing intelligence company Profitero works with retailers and manufacturers to help them to grow sales and profit margins with the Profitero competitor price monitoring technology. We monitor 28 million products across 2,800 retail websites on your behalf. Click here to view a short video demo on Profitero's competitor pricing service. For more information on how we can help you increase your bottom line with our pricing intelligence system, visit our website www.profitero.com or email sales@profitero.com to request a free demo.







Encouraging Signs Of Growth At UK Supermarkets - Nielsen



There are encouraging signs in trading at the UK's leading supermarkets in recent weeks, according to research analysts Nielsen.

The UK supermarket industry has recorded a modest improvement in growth for the start of 2012. While headline value growth at the UK’s supermarket multiples recorded a 3.5 per cent increase for the four weeks to February 4, unit growths fell slightly and were recorded at -0.2 per cent.

“January began with shoppers holding back spending after Christmas, seemingly choosing instead to pay down credit cards in the opening weeks. However, re-stocking picked up later in the month after payday, meaning growth across January was an improvement on last year. Despite the recent cold snap, sales weren’t held back to the extent they were during the Arctic conditions experienced a year ago,” said Nielsen’s senior manager for retailer services Mike Watkins. 

“Retailers are continuing to support sales with vouchers, coupons and fuel discounts in order to drive footfall and attract repeat visit, as shoppers are motivated by the immediate cash saving.”

“With food inflation also slowing, the modest improvement in growths, which are currently back to the levels last seen nine months ago, are encouraging. But it will be the full quarter trend - to the end of March - that will be more indicative of underlying shopper behaviour in 2012.”

Fig 1.1. Profitero competitor price monitoring on supermarket lamb chops
About Profitero
Pricing intelligence company Profitero works with retailers and manufacturers to help them to grow sales and profit margins with the Profitero competitor price monitoring technology. We monitor 28 million products across 2,800 retail websites on your behalf. Click here to view a short video demo on Profitero's competitor pricing service. For more information on how we can help you increase your bottom line with our pricing intelligence system, visit our website www.profitero.com or email sales@profitero.com to request a free demo.




Profitero To Host IBM People For A Smarter Planet Facebook Event

Profitero will hold IBM's People for a Smarter Planet Facebook Friday event. Profitero will discuss eCommerce, trends in online shopping for 2012 and the link between IBM SmartCamp and entrepreneurship on the IBM Facebook page People for a Smarter Planet.


People for a Smarter Planet is a collective of communities sponsored by IBM to foster activities, conversations and discussions to help solve problems that can benefit from all of humanity. IBM invites followers of its People for a Smarter Planet Facebook page to share ideas, engage and discuss, or participate in one of the growing list of projects.

Profitero with Mike and Claudia from IBM and our IBM Award!

Profitero recently won the IBM SmartCampGlobal Final competition and claimed the IBM Global Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 title. Winning the competition means a great deal to our business -  having access to the experience and range of IBM SmartCamp mentors is incredible - entrepreneurs, VCs and IBM’ers. We’ve made some really key contacts from the SmartCamp competition. The media coverage that being named IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year brought us has also been fantastic. Being mentioned in the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post was incredible and just this week The Street named Profitero one of 5 Start-Ups Big Tech Is Eyeing In 2012. Being mentioned alongside Big Blue goes a long way with clients and leads!

On Friday, February 16, IBM will hold the IBM Smarter Friday event on its People for a Smarter Planet Facebook page. Profitero will initiate discussions on eCommerce and trends in online shopping for 2012, entrepreneurship and how IBM SmartCamp can help entrepreneurs through mentoring and introductions to key contacts in the business work.

To follow the discussions on these topics make sure you 'like' the People for a Smarter Planet Facebook page today! We look forward to conversing with you on Facebook on Smarter Friday. We will be tweeting about the discussions on the day from our @profitero twitter account. Don't forget to like our Profitero Facebook page too!
Fig 1.1. Profitero price monitoring technology
About Profitero
Pricing intelligence company Profitero works with retailers and manufacturers to help them to grow sales and profit margins with the Profitero competitor price monitoring technology. We monitor 27.5 million products across 2,500 retail websites on your behalf. Click here to view a short video demo on Profitero's competitor pricing service. For more information on how we can help you increase your bottom line with our pricing intelligence system, visit our website www.profitero.com or email sales@profitero.com to request a free demo.