IDC Retail Insights Warns of Slowing eCommerce Growth in the Coming Years

IDC Retail Insights warns of slowing ecommerce growth in the coming years, but a recent IDC survey shows that over 30% of European retailers plan to introduce social media tools for business purposes in the next two years.

Christine Bardwell, EMEA research manager, IDC Retail Insights, said, "Even in the more mature online markets, retailers today can expect online retail sales to outgrow store sales growth two or three times over. However, as the number of online shoppers and high-speed Internet penetration nears saturation, online growth will slow significantly and retailers will be required to build a two-pronged strategy — internationalization and improving conversion rates by focusing on the online customer experience."

Bardwell continued: "It is clear from our recent discussions that retailers are keen to learn more about ecommerce with the growing importance of accessibility, fully integrated user experience, and ease of use in the online sales channel. I am delighted that so many major retailers have shown a positive interest toward this event. We hope the IDC Retail Insights eCommerce Conference will help retailers gain a clear view of the latest developments and learn best practices with peers so they can make the right decisions to increase online revenue."

As the growth drivers of the past reach saturation for online retailers and the industry prepares to compete in a fiercely competitive environment, IDC Retail Insights announces the launch of its first ever event in London, focused on helping marketing and ecommerce professionals maximize online revenues, gain strategic insights, and share success stories to improve customer retention and enhance online experience.

With representation from leading online retailers such as Carphone Warehouse, Ted Baker, Debenhams, Astley Clarke, Marks and Spencer, and John Lewis PLC, this networking event will offer retailers a clear view of trends, changing habits of online consumers in 2012, and a better understanding of ecommerce strategies that work.