Girls In Tech

Mobile commerce is still small compared to the overall ecommerce market, but m-commerce sales are on a steep upward trajectory, thanks in part to increasing adoption of smartphones and rising mobile internet usage, according to a new forecast by eMarketer.

eMarketer estimates mobile commerce sales will reach $6.7 billion this year in the US—a tiny fraction of overall retail sales, to be sure, but a 91.4% increase over 2010. Next year, sales will rise another 73.1% to $11.6 billion.

“Mobile commerce is growing at a fast clip—and it’s acting as an engine of overall ecommerce growth, by converting potential brick-and-mortar sales to digital sales as consumers use their smartphones while shopping in-store,” said eMarketer principal analyst Jeffrey Grau, author of a forthcoming report on mobile buying.

eMarketer’s estimates of mobile sales are based on a meta-analysis of data from research firms as well as overall trends in mobile ownership and usage. M-commerce sales include sales of physical goods as well as travel and event tickets purchased via mobile, but exclude digital downloads and usage of mobile phones as a point-of-sale payment mechanism. eMarketer’s estimates for m-commerce sales do not include purchases made from tablet devices.

eMarketer forecasts 37.5 million US consumers ages 14 and up will make at least one purchase on their mobile phone next year, up from 26.8 million this year. The vast majority of that group will be smartphone owners, at 97% in 2012. Overall, 72.8 million mobile users will research or browse items on their phone next year but not necessarily make a purchase.

It means brick-and-mortar retailers run an ever-greater risk of becoming showrooms for Amazon.com and other online retailers—though the shift to mobile shopping can benefit them as well, Grau added.

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, eCommerce, eMarketer, girls in tech, mobile, Mobile Commerce, women in tech
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With Cyber Monday just around the corner, comparison search engine and social commerce provider SortPrice.com today released its’ annual list of helpful hints and tips for safe, secure and productive online shopping this holiday season. The 11 for ’11 List, it’s designed as a blueprint for every online shopper—from the novice to the seasoned veteran—to get the most out of their holiday shopping experience this year.  With an emphasis on safe holiday shopping, the list is also reflective of the myriad of options available to shoppers on the ever-growing e-commerce landscape.

Developed from years of experience in guiding online shoppers and providing merchants with a solid platform from which to sell their items online, the 11 for ’11 List is as follows:

1. Be thorough in your research by utilizing all the resources the internet provides, particularly social media networks, to compare prices and search for online-only bargains that guarantee you’ll save money.
2. Update your home computer’s anti-virus software and security tools before you start shopping, and if using a wireless connection, make sure it’s encrypted with a password.
3. Don’t Procrastinate! Prices and inventories change quickly online this time of year so to ensure you get what you’re looking for, shop and order early.
4. Carefully review every online retailer’s terms and conditions as well as their return policies, as they vary industry-wide.
5. Beware of certain promotional emails requesting personal information or promising a special deal.  Usually, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
6. Create or update new online passwords that are unique and difficult to steal—avoid pet names, birthdays, etc. and incorporate numbers and characters.
7. Use credit cards instead of debit cards, as you’ll be better protected from fraud and face less liability in the event of your card number being stolen.
8. Shop only on certifiably secure websites: look for ‘https://’ URLs that indicate secure connections when placing orders and entering personal information.
9. Be smart about where you disclose personal information—including phone numbers, addresses and financial information—and avoid unverifiable entities.
10. Look for delivery guarantees from online retailers and always keep hard copies of email confirmations of orders and delivery status.
11. Seek out the ‘Freebies’ that some retailers include on orders of a particular size or volume; keep them for yourself or use them as stocking stuffers!

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, Christmas, eCommerce, girls in tech, holiday shopping, Online safety tips, SortPrice.com, women in tech
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The promise of convenience and cost savings online will bring more consumers than ever to shop on the web for the holidays, spending a greater share of their gift budget there than they have in previous years, according to a new forecast by eMarketer.

eMarketer estimates US retail ecommerce holiday sales will rise 16.8%—more than five times as fast as total retail industry growth—to $46.7 billion in 2011, up from $39.9 billion in 2010. That means online sales growth will reach double digits for the third consecutive year, even though the economy remains shaky and consumers are keeping tight budgets.

“Ecommerce has been insulated from the lingering effects of the recession and has even benefitted from price-conscious consumers’ reliance on the internet to save money,” said Jeffrey Grau, eMarketer principal analyst and author of the new report, “Online Holiday Sales Forecast: Savings and Convenience Will Drive Strong Growth.”

By comparison, eMarketer believes total retail sales in the US will see meager growth of about 3% this holiday season.

eMarketer defines the holiday season as November and December. Holiday season sales refer to all retail spending—purchases either related or unrelated to the holidays—which does not include online travel sales.

“The reasons for spending more online are the same ones that attract new holiday shoppers to ecommerce: convenience and savings,” added Grau. “Many consumers will time their holiday purchases around retailers’ key promotional dates and free shipping offers, in addition to looking for retailers’ promotions on social networks and rely on daily deal sites to find experiential gifts that they can enjoy with friends and family.”

Strong online holiday spending, in turn, will boost ecommerce sales to $195 billion for the year, up 16.5% over 2010. Holiday sales will account for almost a quarter (23.9%) of online sales in 2011, underlining the importance that November and December have on many retailers’ annual ecommerce sales.

As a result of strong growth, ecommerce’s share of total retail sales is gradually increasing, with the biggest gains taking place during the holiday season. In 2010, ecommerce accounted for 5.7% of sales from January through October, but jumped to 7.4% for the holiday season, eMarketer estimates.

“The holiday shopping season has assumed the character of a scrimmage, where consumers and retailers jockey for the upper hand,” said Grau. “Retailers must fire on all cylinders to ensure they get their share of holiday spending from such savings-savvy consumers.”

Online holiday sales will also get a boost from smartphone and tablet users, Grau said.

“Mobile shoppers are having a noticeable influence on holiday sales,” added Grau. “Given the fast growth in device ownership—especially tablet ownership—it is likely that retailers will report significant online sales coming from mobile users this holiday season.”

Tags: 2011, Adriana Gascoigne, eCommerce, eMarketer, girls in tech, holiday shopping, online shopping, women in tech
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Silicon Valley-based Venture Capital firm, KPCB and Girls in Tech cordially invite you to attend “Net Effect: The Impact of Women on the Web – Start-up Edition”. KPCB partner Aileen Lee talks with four distinguished female execs who recognize women as not only influencing the overall tech landscape, but increasingly leading it. Join Aileen and her industry-shaping guests on Nov. 9th as they discuss how women are breaking the glass ceiling. The panelists will share their distinct insights on leadership and how businesses across the social web, e-commerce and advertising are achieving success with the female demographic.

Please click on the following infographic to purchase a ticket to the event:

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, eCommerce, girls in tech, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, KPCB, Startup Founders, women in tech, Women in Venture Capital
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Through word of mouth, I recently heard about a new concept, which meshes crowdsourced design and innovation with social coupons built on an intuitive eCommerce platform – this concept is called “Fab.com” – this site allows users to design and share cool new products with the world at a discounted price.

Fab.com encourages the world to tap into their inventive, curious and creative side to produce interesting products, which could prove to be useful to others. With exceptional customer service, Fab.com ensures that each product featured on their site is built with quality materials and a “story”. Each inventor or designer has a story to share – the impetus for launching the product, the problem that they are solving and their passion behind innovation.

I had to share this with the community because at the core of Girls in Tech is creativity and we encourage our members and readers to check it out!

Tags: Adriana Gascoigne, crowdsourcing, design, discount, eCommerce, entrepreneurs, Fab, Fab.com, girls in tech, innovation, Invention, Social Coupons, women in tech
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With the success of the Girls in Tech Incubator series that began in San Francisco, it was time to bring it to Los Angeles. Our Incubator events highlight either a young, female entrepreneur and their company or a web company specifically focused on women.

Our first-ever Incubator event for LA will feature Closetcouture.com and it’s Founder, Chris Elia. Closet Couture is a social and fashion utility that connects people of stylish minds with those who live or work around them. CC users manage their wardrobes online, define and refine their personal style, get help if needed, upload unlimited photos, share links and videos, and create their own style cabinet made up of the best and the brightest. Chris started ClosetCouture.com to solve the problem of never having anything to wear despite a brimming closet. Closetcouture.com was named one of TechCrunch50′s best startups last year.

Come and join us as we learn about how Closetcouture.com came to be and Chris’ journey in developing her company. We will also discuss the ins and outs of developing a startup, how to use all the various social media sites to promote your brand or business, and when it’s the right time to go for funding. The event will be held at Blankspaces, LA’s #1 Co-working office space, on Tuesday, February 24th at 6:30PM. Please get your ticket at http://girlsintechlastartupsavvy.eventbrite.com/.

Tags: Chris Elia, Closet Couture, eCommerce, fashion, girls in tech, Los Angeles, Robyn Cohen, Style, tech, technology, women in tech
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