...Business Research Report E-Commerce Division Entry Elements Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Introduction 4 Research Findings 4 Effective Website Design 4 Reputation Management 5 Impact to Brick-and-Mortar 5 Recommendations 5 Conclusion 6 References 7 Executive Summary The e-commerce program has initiated preliminary steps to resolve the resources, elements and lines of business required to begin planning. The e-commerce division entry elements report contains critical factors pertaining to selling, controlling and managing the online business presence. The elements are not comprehensive of all aspects of planning a new line of business. The findings here are a summarization of necessary building blocks to a successful expansion. An effective website design is the most elementary, imperative piece of the expansion. The website is the company’s image, reliability, salesman, quality and storefront. The company can fail at other components but this one. Reputation management is the control of the company brand and standing. Internally controlled systems allow for customization of that direction but a multichannel approach will achieve higher satisfaction results if including third party handlers. The impact to brick-and-mortar operations contains a reduction in sales volume. However, the value to the company of the enlarged market, expected revenue gain and scalability is high and manageable. The recommendation...
Words: 2390 - Pages: 10
...its infancy in the early nineties, E-commerce has come a long way. Popular websites today like Ebay and Amazon were started in this period and enabled trade to grow without restrictive boundaries.[7, Forbes] For example, customers may not have considered a purchase of a simple item like a phone charger from China, but rather making the purchase in the closest available store. When the internet boom began in the late nineties, search engines like Google and Ask Jeeves connected the buyers to the sellers across geographical territories. Not only did online shopping make the process hassle free for consumers but opened new avenues for the sellers to sell their products and reach out to newer markets and territories. With technological...
Words: 1492 - Pages: 6
...Business Research Report E-Commerce: The future of ABC Corporation. A look into the features, advantages, and benefits of entering the online sales arena in today’s retail market. October 2012 Assessment Code: RWT1 Date: October 21, 2012 Table of Contents Cover page…………….……………………………………………………………….….1 Table of contents……………………………………………………………………….….2 Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………….…3 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….….4 Advantages and Disadvantages…………………………………………………………………………….5-6 Potential for Impact...………………………………………………………………….....7-9 Requirements……....………………………………………………………………....…..9-10 Recommendation…………………………………………………………………………11 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………..12 References……………………………………………………………………………..…13 Executive Summary ABC Corporation is a retail establishment that has attained a stronghold in the United States through brick and mortar stores. Desiring to increase revenue and broaden its customer base, ABC is currently entertaining the idea of entering the online sales arena. Allison Enright, (2012) Editor of Internetretailer.com, states that,” U.S. e-commerce sales accounted 5.1% of total retail spending, according to an estimate released last month by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is the first time that e-commerce as a percentage of total retail spending has topped 5%.” These figures suggest ABC’s desire to...
Words: 3333 - Pages: 14
...Challenges of E-Commerce MKT552 The Challenges of E-Commerce Today’s business managers face many challenges when migrating a traditional ‘brick and mortar’ company to that which is now known as the evolutionary ‘click and mortar’ business model – that is, a business that operates in the Internet market space. To stand boldly in the face of challenges presented by the networked economy, firms must develop competencies that enable not only high performance market interactivity and adaptive, intuitive customer engagement platforms, but also contribute to the development of sound business strategies that ensure a firm’s competitiveness in the vast web-based business environment. Considering this, important factors such as copyright infringement, regulatory compliance, and policy and procedure guidelines must be considered in order to ensure safe business practices while endorsing and protecting a company’s brand, reputation, and intellectual property. This paper serves to identify the primary challenges posed by e-commerce landscapes, while profiling the characteristics of the four infrastructures most commonly found in web-based business models. Furthermore, this paper also discusses the ways that managers can optimize their business strategies to gain competitive advantage by employing the opportunities provided by the Internet market space. Overview of e-Commerce Business Models Today’s networked economy presents a variety of business challenges that are unique to e-commerce...
Words: 1403 - Pages: 6
...E-commerce In its simplest form ecommerce is the buying and selling of products and services by businesses and consumers over the Internet. People use the term "ecommerce" to describe encrypted payments on the Internet. Sometimes these transactions include the real-time transfer of funds from buyer to seller and sometimes this is handled manually through an eft-pos terminal once a secure order is received by the merchant. Internet sales are increasing rapidly as consumers take advantage of lower prices offer by wholesalers retailing their products. This trend is set to strengthen as web sites address consumer security and privacy concerns. There is several ways of looking at e-commerce • Communication perspective • From a business perspective • Interface perspective • From online perspective • Structural perspective • Market perspective Beginning & Future of eCommerce eCommerce basically began (although debated) in 1994 when Jeff Bezos started Amazon.com out of his own garage. Well known eCommerce stores include sites like eBay, Dell, Walmart and many more. Since 1994, businesses of all shapes and sizes have began launching or expanding their Online presence. At any given time, there are approximately 8 million consumers worldwide that actively shop and buy through Web based stores or retailers (nearly one tenth of our world population). Online studies have claimed that online retail revenues will surpass the quarter-trillion-dollar mark by...
Words: 1451 - Pages: 6
...Walmart: E-business Analysis Dustin Cooper Intro to Information Systems Professor Young Bao Choi August 29, 2011 An E-Business Analysis of Walmart Walmart is the world’s largest company and quite possibly the most powerful retailer. Walmart began as strictly a brick and mortar store but has advanced into click and mortar over the last five decades. Walmart may soon become a major competition for huge online only retailers like Amazon. The recent acquisitions by Walmart are sure to be placing this retailer in place for an online invasion of epic proportions. Walmart was started by Sam Walton in rural Arkansas in 1962. Sam Walton had previously owned a franchise in the Ben Franklin stores since 1944 and also opened a small chain of stores called Walton’s 5 & 10. Sam Walton was extremely industrious and had a knack for increasing sales in businesses. His ability to find ways to slash prices to the lowest bottom line is the reason for the success of Walmart. (Sam Walton, 2009) Walmart stores have been geared toward the low-income customer segment. The concept of frugality is the central tenet of the company. Even the Walmart headquarters is a drab and plain building in a small town in central Arkansas. There are no luxuries at the headquarters and it is not based in a fancy big city. During the recent downturn of the world economy when other businesses were going under, Walmart had reported sales growth of 11%, amounting to $6.4 billion. Walmart has also made some...
Words: 2445 - Pages: 10
...An E-Business Analysis of Walmart Patricia Brandon-Garst E-Business Professor Victor Olufeso August 29, 2011 An E-Business Analysis of Walmart Walmart is the world’s largest company and quite possibly the most powerful retailer. Walmart began as strictly a brick and mortar store but has advanced into click and mortar over the last five decades. Walmart may soon become a major competition for huge online only retailers like Amazon. The recent acquisitions by Walmart are sure to be placing this retailer in place for an online invasion of epic proportions. Walmart was started by Sam Walton in rural Arkansas in 1962. Sam Walton had previously owned a franchise in the Ben Franklin stores since 1944 and also opened a small chain of stores called Walton’s 5 & 10. Sam Walton was extremely industrious and had a knack for increasing sales in businesses. His ability to find ways to slash prices to the lowest bottom line is the reason for the success of Walmart. (Sam Walton, 2009) Walmart stores have been geared toward the low-income customer segment. The concept of frugality is the central tenet of the company. Even the Walmart headquarters is a drab and plain building in a small town in central Arkansas. There are no luxuries at the headquarters and it is not based in a fancy big city. During the recent downturn of the world economy when other businesses were going under, Walmart had reported sales growth of 11%, amounting...
Words: 2447 - Pages: 10
...can, day or night. With the gaming industry, the demands for online preferences are going. For GameStop, this means to evolve the business for consumers around the world. Implementing simple changes to their website for a more customer friendly shopping experience can only aid in GameStop continuing to be a successful retailer, while at the same time developing the technology side of the business. For GameStop to maximize its brick and mortar locations, the stores will need to capture leading market share of the new console cycle, grow digital sales, and apply retail expertise to the new technology added to the GameStop family. The Business GameStop's retail network includes 6,650 company-operated stores in 15 countries worldwide and online at www.GameStop.com. The network also includes: www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site, and a digital PC game distribution platform. GameStop offers customers the most popular game software, hardware, game accessories and PC products. On the brick and mortar retail side, GameStop is continuing to grow. According to Slack (2010), “The company sees its physical storefronts as the foundation of the company, but GameStop is well aware of the trend toward more digital content. Because of that, the e-commerce and digital side of the business is becoming a larger part of GameStop's business plan”. GameStop has formed a digital ventures group to support the growth of digital operations and online retail all while continuing...
Words: 2092 - Pages: 9
...2/24/2015 Carolina Guerraz John Cabot University E-commerce Industry Analysis Contents Introduction 2 Industry Background 2 PEST Analysis 4 Political 4 Economic 5 Social 6 Technological 7 Michael Porter’s Five Forces Analysis 7 Threat of New Entrants 7 The Power of Suppliers 8 The Power of Buyers 8 Threat of Substitutes 9 Rivalry 9 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 11 Introduction The objective of this paper is to analyze e-commerce industry in Italy and to determine its attractiveness by applying PEST analysis and Michael Porter’s Five-Force Analysis. E-commerce is defined as the sale of products and services through computer networks. As the world changes and technology advances, firms must adapt to new trends so that new competitive advantages can become part of the industry. In e-commerce industries, information and communication technologies (ICT) and merchandise are the suppliers, online retailers are the players, and end-consumers are the buyers. After having described the e-commerce industry background and its trends, both on a global perspective and specifically in Italy, an environmental analysis will be described as a way to determine the industry attractiveness. Industry Background The e-commerce industry is one of the fastest growing industries throughout the world even though differences exist in the stage of development from country to country. According to Euromonitor, global online retail sales have increased 17% from 2007 to 2012. In addition...
Words: 2657 - Pages: 11
...Development of an E-Commerce Website for ABC Corporation Tammy Semelsberger Managerial Applications of Information Technology – IS535 DeVry University, Keller Graduate School of Management August 18, 2012 Table of Contents Abstract 3 Company Background 3 Business Problems 4 High-Level Solution 5 Benefits of Solving the Problem 6 Business/Technical Approach 7 Business Process Changes 7 Technology / Business Practices Used to Augment Solutions 9 Conclusions and Overall Recommendations 10 High-level Implementation Plan 10 Summary 11 Summary of Recommendations 11 References 13 Development of an E-Commerce Website for ABC Corporation Abstract ABC Corporation (ABC) is a clothing store in Chicago, IL. They are a local store that needs to increase profitability and competitiveness. Designing a custom e-commerce online store on their current website, that is tailored to ABC’s goals and customer needs, is key in attracting and maintaining a customer base, and increasing profitability. The business problem to be solved is how to implement, market, and maintain a successful e-commerce site while building customer loyalty, increasing profitability, improving strategic planning, and expanding the market. ABC will use an outside source to develop, produce and maintain this store. There will be reporting systems in place to analyze data...
Words: 2619 - Pages: 11
...E-Business (QRT2) Task 1 Proposal for Online Business Expansion E-Business (QRT2) Task 1 Proposal for Online Business Expansion A1. Viability of Product Connor’s is a family owned and operated, retail chain comprised of 10 stores that run from the southernmost border of Ohio to Birmingham, Alabama. For over 70 years, all Connor’s locations have offered a selection of high quality, and brand merchandise. Shoppers can find fashion goods for men and women, along with top name work wear, shoes, and boots. The bargain hunter can find quality items for the home like rugs, candles and curtains. Connor’s best-selling product is the handmade, dried floral arrangements that are produced by the Connor family themselves. Recently, the company has made the decision to retire the older family members in the next six months and replace them with the younger family members whose ages range from 22 to 40 years of age to run the company. With that being said, the new store operators are looking to expand the store's customer base for online shopping as well as promotion of their brick and mortar stores. At the present time, the company has a basic web page referring customers to the different locations of the various stores located in Alabama and Ohio. All sales include mostly local shoppers, but also serve customers from all over the country who are traveling on vacation near the store's location sites. Although sales in the local markets are strong, the new owners are relatively...
Words: 5122 - Pages: 21
...eBusiness Assignment 1 eBusiness Development and Strategies Name | Maksis Rudovs | Class | BM | Exam No | 6506276P | Teacher | Marie Boner | Contents Methodology 3 Introduction 4 Current Developments in eBusiness 6 eBusiness Strategies 11 Conclusion 14 Recommendations 14 Refrences 14 Bibliography 14 Methodology Brief * Research the development of eBusiness to include emerging eBusiness technologies and applications. * Appraise the main eBusiness strategies and technologies in current use to include business to consumer, business to business and business to government markets. * Utilise a range of current eBusiness terms within the context of providing eBusiness solutions. Objectives * To define the terms eBusiness and eCommerce. * To talk about eBusiness types 1. Bricks and Clicks 2. Pureplay 3. Brick and Mortar * To discuss different eCommerce modules: 1. Business to Consumer 2. Business to Business 3. Business to Government * To investigate current developments of eBusiness including: 1. Web1,2,3 2. Mobile Technology 3. Social Media 4. Big Data, Data Mining, Data Warehousing, Data Analytics Research Design Scope and Limitations Action Plan Introduction This assignment is a report to gather information about eBusiness, eCommerce, current developments in the area and different types of Strategies in use. It is very popular nowadays to use the...
Words: 6150 - Pages: 25
...Business Studies E-Commerce For first teaching from September 2009 For first award in Summer 2011 GCSE E -Commerce At the end of this unit students should be able to: Explain what is meant by e-commerce and e-business; Analyse the advantages of e-commerce for customers and businesses; Analyse the disadvantages of e-commerce for customers and businesses; and Discuss how e-commerce supports international business. Setting the scene: Amazon.com was founded in Seattle, Washington by Jeff Bezos in 1994, and was officially launched in 1995. It started out as an online bookstore but quickly diversified by adding other items, such as DVDs, music CDs, software, video games, electronics, MP3s, clothing, furniture, toys and even food items. Amazon.com grew rapidly throughout the late 90’s, and managed to survive what became known as the dot com crash. Amazon.com has become one of the world’s largest on-line retailers with almost 25,000 employees and global sales in excess of $24 billion per year. The company continues to go from strength and is currently the UK favourite on-line retailer and third favourite retailer overall. The impact of ICT on business Developments in information and communications technology have fundamentally changed the way businesses sell and distribute their goods and services. New technology such as the internet and broadband has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for business. The amount of trade conducted electronically has grown dramatically...
Words: 1947 - Pages: 8
...E-Commerce Is the Next Frontier in Global Expansion [pic] Online shopping is changing how retailers develop their global expansion strategies. A.T. Kearney's E-Commerce Index reveals which developing markets hold the most potential for online growth. Retailers are constantly seeking new paths to growth. As revenues plateau in developed markets, expansion into developing markets is a popular means for reaching new growth targets and boosting returns in overall portfolios. But choosing a developing market is more complex than looking through the traditional bricks-and-mortar lens to determine where to locate—it also requires looking through the online lens. As online sales skyrocket in developing markets, an online presence is a low-risk way to test new markets and complement existing store footprints. As e-commerce sales skyrocket across the developing world, building an online presence is a low-risk way to test new markets or complement existing store footprints. Gaining maximum advantage from such strategies requires knowing a country's true e-commerce potential and its online market challenges. A.T. Kearney's 2012 E-Commerce Index, the first in a series, examines the top 30 countries in our 2012 Global Retail Development Index™ (GRDI). Using 18 infrastructure, regulatory, and retail-specific variables, the Index ranks the top 10 countries by their e-commerce potential (see figure 1).1 The findings provide a wealth of information for retailers use in developing successful...
Words: 3684 - Pages: 15
...GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS STANFORD UNIVERSITY CASE NUMBER: EC-9B FEBRUARY 2000 NIKE – CHANNEL CONFLICT As 1999 drew to a close, Mary Kate Buckley, general manager of nike.com, found herself and her division at a crossroads. Over the last twelve months, nike.com had rolled out an ambitious e-commerce initiative, signed an exclusive deal with Fogdog sports that allowed NIKE products to be sold by a pure internet company for the first time, and had grown from twelve to 150 employees. But nike.com faced countless critical decisions in the coming months. Specifically, nike.com needed to plan not only its own direct-to-consumer sales strategy, but also its policies and rules for on-line sales of NIKE products by other vendors. COMPANY HISTORY, STRATEGY AND STRUCTURE BRS, the company that would evolve into NIKE, was founded in 1964 by Phil Knight. The purpose of the company was to make high-performance athletic shoes for the U.S. market. Knight, a Stanford MBA and middle distance runner at the University of Oregon, recognized an unmet need for quality athletic footwear that could be filled inexpensively with well-made Japanese imports. Knight started selling these imported shoes directly to runners at track meets in his spare time and NIKE was born. Over the following 35 years, NIKE grew from a part-time job for Phil Knight into the world’s dominant athletic footwear and apparel company by following a consistent and logical strategy: to capitalize on the importance...
Words: 5386 - Pages: 22