Any retailers hoping they can avoid improving their online experience by waiting for customers to resume in-store shopping are taking a big risk. This Sitecore study of Gen Z consumers found that 64% want to keep buying almost everything online. They’re a demanding bunch: 83% see shopping as an experience, not a transaction, 71% expect highly personalized treatments, and 38% will switch brands after a second bad experience.
Retailers lag in meeting the customer expectations for personalized online shopping, according to this Redpoint Global-sponsored infographic. Just 21% have up-to-date CRM/personalization technology in place, although 60% plan to have current technology within two years. Just 14% have bought a software package with embedded artificial intelligence or machine learning.
Needless to say, there are plenty of companies eager to sell retailers the technology they need. Cart.com, just founded in September 2020, is a new option, offering end-to-end ecommerce software, services, and infrastructure. They just raised $45 million over five months.
Salesforce has reversed course on its bid to acquire data management and integration platform Informatica a source has told Reuters. Informatica itself said that it is not in talks to be acquired. Salesforce stocks rose on this latest news while Informatica’s fell.