Big Ticket Items Get Discovered Online

Returning from the Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition Manna representatives reported that attendees were upbeat, but not ecstatic about an upturn in the economy.  The general optimism was generated by surveys that show more people browsed for products online than in stores, 92% compared to 84%

Nick Mansilla and Dave Tomaschko speaking with IRCE attendees

The ATG reported earlier this year that 30% of consumers use more than three channels of information to research and then purchase products.  For example, they get a catalog, use the company’s website, and consider product reviews. Other channels of information are news articles, Word of Mouth, and advertising.

This statistic also reflects the overwhelming concern among retailers which is integration of the customer experience, from online, catalogs and in-store experiences.  That experience we believe is continued until the product is in its final destination.  Manna representatives Nick Mansilla and David Tomaschko listened to these concerns from retailers.  The options are limited with parcel carriers who don’t handle big ticket items, and with electronics, there are other issues such as fragility and installation that typical delivery providers don’t offer.

Internet Retailer Shows Attendees Up 40% from last year

Another sign the economy is coming back was the 40% increase in IRCE attendee traffic. According to Mansilla and Tomaschko the show floor was busy with considerable interest in Manna Distribution’s high-speed, white-glove service options.  Manna’s national coverage and expertise in a variety of product lines, including electronics, appliances, and furniture gives retailers a one stop (pardon the pun) transportation option.  Email info@Manna.com.

Getting Social With Internet Retailers

Manna sales representatives report that social media in online retailing was a major topic of discussion at the Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition (IRCE) show floor. A recent study by Dynamic Logic of social network users, 71% of them follow retail brands and 48% follow Consumer Package Goods brands.

Social network users follow retail brands

Manna works with online retailers at IRCE

Manna sales rep David Tomaschko reported the show attendees were mostly upbeat about the future, with many taking an aggressive marketing approach to social media usage. Online retailers today are increasing their participation with pages on the major sites, many have a presence on Facebook with others creatively using sites such as flickr.

Retailers with Social Network Pages

For more on how retailers are using social networks, here is an interview with eMarketer retail analyst Jeffrey Grau and Albert Maruggi host of the Marketing Edge Podcast.

Manna participates with online retailers who are trying innovative ways to market their products. The Roominations website and @Bigscreendeals on Twitter are a couple of examples of how Manna is supporting its customers online presence.

Manna Solutions For ECommerce Leaders at IRCE Conference 

The growth in eCommerce in the last 10 years has led to a new set of challenges for online retailers.  Today the term online retailers is no longer reserved by the Amazons and Overstocks of the world; it includes Wal-Mart, Sears, and Staples.  The convenience of purchasing online is a fact of life with Internet sales in 2009 at $134 billion. While 20% year over year growth is not a regular occurrence, the trend has shifted to those facing a maturing business function, such as accommodating larger scale, efficiency, and inventory shifts.    The new challenges from a delivery perspective include fulfillment, warehousing, transportation, last-mile delivery, customer service, installation, and competitive shipping pricing.  

online retail annual sales up slightly

Manna Distribution Services has seen similar growth in its annual sales over the last five years as it builds a national delivery network of high-speed, white-glove services. The Internet Retail Conference and Exhibition is the largest event of its kind drawing retailers from around the country.  They are looking for solutions to these and other retail issues.   Manna account managers working with leading retail customers have devised delivery solutions that positively impact customer satisfaction and loyalty. National Account Manager Adam Trenberth met with retailers on the IRCE show floor at the Manna booth talking about the added value Manna offers customers including the ScheduleMyDelivery.com website. ScheduleMyDelivery. com allows consignees the convenience of scheduling the delivery time that fits their daily routine while keeping Manna retail customers and delivery personnel in a closed communications loop process.

 

Manna Reps meet with IRCE attendees

Learn about this and other issues retailers are raising with Manna representatives on the IRCE show floor by emailing Manna at info@manna.com.  Or place a request for info at the Manna Distribution Services website

Americans are Sleeping Better

I am making that bold statement based on sleep industry figures showing sales of mattresses up 17% in March this year over last year. This was the seventh straight month of increases. Some financial analysis take heart in that this is another small sign the economy is coming back. I’m not a financial analyst so I’ll just take these facts lying down. Mattresses are one of those home items that are not inexpensive and are viewed by many consumers as a luxury item whose purchase can be postponed until better times. So they are buying mattresses, great!

Two of the industry leaders Temper-pedic and Select Comfort, who makes the sleep number bed, reported growth in unit sales. This was echoed by some of the other industry leaders, so if a better night’s sleep is in your future here are a couple of major decision points.

Inner Spring vs Foam –

If you are a inner spring (traditional) person there are a few different kinds. These are my two favorite choices if you have a budget for the higher end mattresses. The blog My Foam Mattress provides these descriptions of the Open-ended and Pocket spring models.

Open-ended springs – all joined together by a wire network set up in the middle of each spring, thus leaving the top and bottom of each spring to move freely in order to independently adjust to the specific weight placed on it
Pocket springs – each spring is placed in its own separate fabric pocket and not connected in any way with the other springs, which allows independent compression of the springs, even if the mattress covering does limit some of the springs’ freedom of movement (these are the most expensive models and are said to be the most comfortable)

Springs do give a familiar feel with ample support in these models above. Many experts say a mattress should last at least 10 years, so divide that out by the number of nights used and you have a pretty sound, reasonable investment.

The Foam Memory mattress is a completely different feel than an inner-spring mattress. it is comprised of billions of cells of air which respond to the body weight. Many say to look for closed cells which provide slightly more support than open cells. This is called Visco-Elastic Memory Foam. Another type of mattress is made of Talalay Latex, this is a closed cell process and produces a different feel from an open cell process.

A popular type of bed for certain segments of the population are adjustable beds. Sleep Comfort is a leading manufacturer of adjustable beds with a variety of mattress types. You can put any mattress style on the frame. Adjustable beds can be positioned to accommodate comfort or sleeping maladies like excessive snoring (guilty). It’s interesting that some of physical symptoms such as lethargy, lack of focus, or chronic pain may have their cause in a poor mattress. At medical sleep centers around the country such as the Health East Sleep facilities in Minnesota, they examine mechanical devices to prevent sleeping on your back where appropriate

So if fatigue is a symptom then a mattress may well be the solution.