Social commerce set for 2011 boom

Advances next year in retail technology will include the adoption of social commerce, according to a new report published, reports Retail Gazette.

Independent technology analysts Ovum predicts that social commerce is set to be retail's biggest story in 2011, with the spread of m-commerce and tentative steps into shopping via television other industry innovations.

Shopping directed and shaped by social media sites such as Facebook will at last start to be taken seriously by retailers in 2011, with the industry set to shake off its initial scepticism about its potential.

Demand for IT professionals within the retail sector has risen by 46% over the last six months, according technology staffing specialist ReThink Recruitment, states Recruiter.

The firm says IT professionals with experience of multi-channel and e-commerce IT platforms who try to move jobs are being persuaded to stay with their current employers with counter offers of between 15% and 20% increases of their current pay with project managers and business analysts particularly prized.

ReThink attributes the resurgence in demand to retailers investing in or replacing their core e-commerce platforms as well as upgrading their core merchandising and supply chain systems to become 'multi-channel'.

Invodo, an e-commerce video partner for online retailers, and mobile commerce provider, Digby, have partnered to implement retail e-commerce product video within mobile-optimised Web sites and rich apps for smartphones, says Retail Solution Online.

Retailers such as Golfsmith are working with both companies to produce and implement e-commerce video that is optimised for viewing on smartphones.

"Both mobile and video are key sales-driving initiatives for retailers now," says Matt Corey, chief marketing officer for Golfsmith. "Invodo and Digby have teamed up to provide consumers a rich and complete shopping experience at their desk, on the go, and even out on the golf course."