10 eCommerce Trends That Will Impact Canadian Retail in 2016

The trends were identified through Absolunet's analysis of 31 digital and eCommerce projects from major Canadian and American retailers.

MONTREAL, Dec. 8, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Absolunet shares the 10 trends that will have the greatest impact on Canadian retailers in 2016. Although all ten trends are eCommerce-based, their impact will also be felt in stores.  

Absolunet, recognized as one of Canada's most specialized agencies in matters of eCommerce, has analyzed 31 digital and eCommerce projects from major Canadian retailers – many of which are Absolunet clients, including Birks & Mayors, Stokes, Linen Chest, Souris Mini, SAIL, Structube, La Vie en Rose – complementing the analysis with its expertise and understanding of the Canadian market.

The 10 Trends that will shape Canadian eCommerce in 2016:

1. Click & Collect is Becoming Standard
   A MUST for online retailers who operate brick-and-mortar stores: in-store pick-up will be offered by an increasing number of retailers.
2. The Rise of In-Store Digital
   In 2016, more and more stores will see the introduction of innovative digital technologies on the sales floor.
3. Social Media Profitability
   Social Media ROI is constantly improving and smart retailers will continue to (or begin) investing in their social presence.
4. Brands Creating More Content
   Brands will create more original content than ever before.
5. B2B Overtaking B2C
   As the tools continue to evolve, B2B eCommerce is expected to see a phenomenal growth in the next few years.
6. Globalization: More Canadian Retailers Expanding Worldwide
   Several prominent Canadian retailers will leverage their digital infrastructure to expand into foreign markets, most notably the U.S.
7. Product Information management
   As customer behaviour shifts towards "pre-purchase research", retailers will invest in product information management solutions (PIM).
8. The Simplification of Order Processing
   More transactions means more processing. To achieve sustainable profitability, retailers will invest in Order Management Systems (OMS) to cope with the increased demand in processing and logistics.
9. Client Data For All
   Merchants who invest in solutions that make it possible to profile clients and to personalize the shopping experience will gain market share.
10. Fraud – And the Tools to Fight it – on the Rise
    Fraud is a growing problem for Canadian retailers. As fraudulent methods evolve, the tools to fight it are also becoming more accessible.

"eCommerce has become a must for retailers, but it is increasingly challenging to choose the right strategy and the tools that are compatible with existing operations and ways of doing things," explains Charles Desjardins, vice-president of Marketing at Absolunet. "By publishing the list of 10 trends we expect to see defining 2016, we aim to help Canadian retailers gain valuable insight to choose the best strategies and the best partners for their growth."

To understand these 10 trends, their potential impacts on Canadian retail, and to find out which Canadian retailers have successfully implemented which digital solutions, visit www.10EcommerceTrends.com.

SOURCE Absolunet inc.

Bernard Dahl, PRESENTIS, 514-802-2801, [email protected]