Armani Web site gets interactive video

Canada's Overlay TV is partnering with online retail software company Marketlive to provide interactive video for the Armani Exchange Web site, a youth-oriented label of fashion giant Armani, writes Kelowna.

The Ottawa company hopes its clickable video technology will help consumers shop while they watch the latest fashions.

Rob Lane, CEO of Overlay TV, says the technology allows online viewers to click on highlighted portions of a video while it plays, get more information about an article of clothing and buy it online if they like it. Fashion retailers JC Penny and French Connection UK have also adopted the technology.

CCTV security company Kappalyn has introduced security solutions for the retail environment that can increase cash takings by 15 to 25%, states Ferret.

The retail environment regularly incurs stock shrinkage and cash shortfall by up to 25%. Kappalyn's retail CCTV security systems tackle this problem and the expenditure is guaranteed to be recouped in a very short time after installation.

Kappalyn's commercial security systems include installation of advanced technology high-resolution megapixel cameras so effective that they can read barcodes on goods or serial numbers on bank notes.

Global e-retail trade is expected to hit EUR550 billion this year, with Europeans accounting for more than a third of this spend, says V3.co.uk.

Roughly 30% of the world's population is online, and around 85% buy goods and services via the Internet. Europeans account for 35% of all online spending at roughly EUR200 billion.

In anticipation of the continued growth of e-commerce, the e-Business Strategy Europe 2010 event will be held for the first time in October, with industry members coming together to discuss strategies for boosting online retail.