The E-Commerce Revolution and What It Means for Your Business
The e-commerce revolution has transformed many sales transactions from a brick-and-mortar environment to online websites. Even in a mediocre economy, e-commerce sales growth is happening at a rapid rate – according to Statista, e-commerce revenues in the United States are projected to grow from $225 billion in 2012 to $434 billion in 2017. Even when sales are not being made on the Internet, important communication is taking place. For example, making personal appointments can now happen online without either customers or office receptionists picking up a phone. Through social media, both positive and negative feedback can go viral within a few minutes.
The online shopping experience has already become a way of life – e-consumers have replaced walk-in clients for many companies. In a highly competitive sales climate, your company can thrive by paying attention to new e-commerce trends and adapting more quickly than your competitors. One of the best ways for smart business owners to obtain valuable market intelligence is to study companies that are currently succeeding in their e-commerce efforts. Here are eight emerging e-commerce companies that deserve your attention.
A Top 10 List With Only 8 Emerging E-Commerce Companies?
The original intention in writing this article was to compile a list of the top 10 e-commerce enterprises that are new at this – established after 2010. However, in-depth research reveals only eight companies that currently merit in-depth analysis. Here they are:
1) Luvocracy
This e-commerce firm is attempting to build on the power of friends in shaping buying decisions. Their slogan is “Find people you trust & shop what they luv.”
- Established: 2012
- Founder(s): Nathan Stoll, Roger Barnett
- Revenue: $210,000
- Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
- Employees: 5
- Twitter Followers: 3,755
- Facebook Likes: 7,008
 2) Zumper
The approach here is to bring e-commerce to the challenging process of finding a home or apartment to rent. Potential renters can include an upfront credit report when applying.
- Established: 2011
- Founder(s): Anthemos Georgiades, Taylor Glass-Moore
- Revenue: $460,000
- Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
- Employees: 7
- Twitter: 928
- Followers: 2,134
3) Shop-Hers
The emphasis: “The only luxury marketplace dedicated exclusively to pre-owned designer fashion.” They guarantee authenticity and accept returns. Private sellers can receive up to 82 percent of a sale.
- Established: 2012
- Founder(s): Jaclyn Shanfeld
- Revenue: $150,000
- Headquarters: Santa Monica, CA
- Employees: 2
- Twitter Followers: 638
- Facebook Likes: 22,260
4) Wittlebee
The focus is serving as a subscription kids’ clothing company that offers customized packages that are handpicked based on color preferences, age and location.
- Established: 2012
- Founder(s): Sean Percival
- Revenue: $110,000
- Headquarters: Culver City, CA
- Employees: 2
- Twitter Followers: 4,271
- Facebook Likes: N/A
5) Dailylook
The marketing strategy is to combine a premium fast fashion label with a styling experience that reflects the latest trends.
- Established: 2011
- Founder(s): Brian Ree, Eric Marston, Shefali Khanna
- Revenue: $250,000
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA
- Employees: 3
- Twitter Followers: 18,929
- Facebook Likes: 422,849
6) Beachmint
The company’s entrepreneurs are striving to provide their own branded goods such as JewelMint, ShoeMint, StyleMint and IntiMint at “insider prices” to women wanting to discover luxury.
- Established: 2010
- Founder(s): Josh Berman and Diego Berdakn
- Revenue: $6.3 million
- Headquarters: Santa Monica, CA
- Employees: 100
- Twitter Followers: 1,499
- Facebook Likes: 587
7) JustFab
This shoe club is offering VIP Access to women looking for shoes and handbags handpicked based on personal style preferences.
- Established: 2010
- Founder(s): Adam Goldenberg, Don Ressler
- Revenue: $0.077 million
- Headquarters: El Segundo, California
- Employees: 330+
- Twitter Followers: 54,307
- Facebook Likes: 4,454,706
8) The Honest Company
The goal is to feature eco-friendly products such as baby diapers, chemical-free baby wipes and non-toxic cleaning products. Discounts are offered with a monthly delivery service.
- Established: 2011
- Founder(s): Jessica Alba, Christopher Gavigan, Brian Lee, Sean Kane
- Revenue: $1.5 Million
- Headquarters: Santa Monica, CA
- Employees: 197
- Twitter Followers: 71,853
- Facebook Likes: 969,509
Do you see any similarities? Several of the eight businesses studied in this overview offer three common themes. First, some of the “Top 8” focus on offering “personalized” touches rather than a “one size fits all” approach. Second, another handful of the eight feature a monthly buying service that rewards repeat business. Third, multiple e-commerce firms are promoting their ability to make buying and styling decisions so that busy e-consumers won’t have to take the time to decide what and when to buy.
Do You Think E-Commerce Is Here to Stay?
When you make business decisions regarding e-commerce, please remember that you are making a “group decision” that can impact much more than your company – suppliers, traditional brick-and-mortar customers, e-consumers, business clients, lenders, investors and competitors all have their own expectations about what it means to do business in the 21st century. Even if you don’t like what you are seeing when you look at the latest e-commerce trends, you should still prepare a thoughtful strategy for succeeding in an e-commerce world.
Please let us know what you think by leaving a comment. Is e-commerce here to stay? Or is it a passing fad like Betamax videocassette players and recorders? What is the new big change to anticipate in how your business customers communicate and purchase goods and services?
– Data Entry Outsourced
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