Total revenue at electricals retailer Comet was
£1.54 billion in the year to 30th April–representing a
like-for-like decline of 7.7 percent. It made a retail loss of
£8.9 million during the year, compared with a profit of
£11.5 million last year.
As part of plans to return it to profitability, during the year
Comet introduced a new website platform and now plans to make
enhancements to it, including intelligent product
recommendations, personalisation, bespoke product pages and quick
checkout facilities. Transactional capability will also be added
to Comet’s mobile app during this financial year. In addition,
Comet’s prices are now aligned across its trading channels, with
some “web exclusives”, which will allow it to better
compete with pureplay etailers. It will also increase its online
range without adding stock risk by agreeing new direct despatch
initiatives with some of its suppliers.
Parent company Kesa says that although restructuring and
turnaround plans have begun at Comet, the company is still
considering divesting the loss-making division.
Computer Weekly reports that
Net-a-Porter is looking to double its 100-strong
IT team. The Net-a-Porter website, warehouse system, content
management system and product inventory were all custom built
in-house, according to the article.
Apparel retailer Republic has launched a new
click and collect initiative allowing customers to shop online
and pick the item up at their nearest store. The service was
developed with its ecommerce partner Venda, who earlier in the
month launched a mobile website for Republic in partnership with
m-commerce specialist Digby.
The Sunday Times talks to John Greed about his online
business John Greed Jewellery–how the Pandora
bracelet gave him the big break he needed and how a website crash
put the business in jeopardy last year.
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