Online retail, or e-tail, is going from strength to strength around the world, according to a new report from business advisory firm KPMG and the Oxford Institute of Retail Management (OXIRM). The groups’ Loyalty4Profit research programme shows that the e-tailing sector is confident and is predicting further growth and expansion. The research says that web… Continue reading ‘E-tail’ Is Going From Strength To Strength, Says Research

The US is set to outpace Europe in growth of the number and penetration of 2.5G and 3G mobile phone users, according to forecasts from Morgan Stanley as reported by eMarketer. This is something of a turnaround as previously the US has lagged somewhat behind Europe in the roll-out of new mobile technologies. Third generation… Continue reading US To Outpace Europe In 3G Mobile Uptake

A new survey out this week reveals that 71% of the advertising industry expects most broadcast commercials to include a degree of interactivity by 2005. iTV, A View from the Trenches was carried out by iTV specialist Weapon7 in collaboration with Chinwag. The research examined the media industry’s attitude to interactive television and found that… Continue reading Media Industry Not Up To Speed On iTV, Says Report

Media communications and market research network, Aegis Group, has acquired Sample Surveys, one of the largest independently owned custom market research agencies in the UK. Aegis will pay an initial £5.4 million cash, with a deferred consideration of up to £1.8 million, subject to the performance of Sample Surveys over the next three years. The… Continue reading Aegis Acquires UK Market Research Firm

AOL Time Warner yesterday confirmed the appointment of Jonathan Miller as the chief executive of its internet arm, America Online. Miller, a former head of USA Interactive, succeeds Robert Pittman, who stepped down last month after failing to revive the fortunes of the struggling web business (see COO Quits AOL Time Warner). The new CEO… Continue reading AOL Appoints New Online Chief

Lastminute.com, the online retailer, today announced narrowing losses and pledged to achieve profitability in the next quarter. The UK internet company revealed pre-tax losses of £3.9 million for the three months to June, compared with £9.2 million for the same period in 2001. This was also an improvement on the £5.2 million deficit recorded in… Continue reading Lastminute Strives To Get In The Black

In the wake of high profile financial scandals and the alarming fall in share prices, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised down its 2002 growth estimates for the United States. On Monday, the IMF was predicting US economic growth of 2.5% this year and 3.25% in 2003. A leaked copy of the World Economic… Continue reading IMF Revises Down Economic Growth Estimates

SMS marketing is now an accepted form of advertising and is viewed much more favourably than direct mail or telesales, according to research by mobile media sales and technology provider, Enpocket. The results found that third party SMS marketing from a trusted service provider is regarded as favourably as television and radio advertising. 63% of… Continue reading SMS Marketing As Acceptable As TV Or Radio Advertising, Says Report

ITV’s share of advertising revenue is set to fall to 46.7% by 2007, down from 56.5% in 2001 and from 74.8% in 1993. According to forecasts from media buying agency Carat, the Network’s share is to see a fairly constant decline over the next five years as competition for adspend from pay-TV channels increases. In… Continue reading Long-Term ITV Revenue Forecasts From Carat

The fallout from the unsuccessful court action against Carlton and Guardian today resulted in the resignation of both the chairman and the chief executive of the Football League. Keith Harris and David Burns had come under fire following the failure to recoup £131 million from Carlton and Granada’s defunct pay-TV venture, ITV Digital (see League… Continue reading League Bosses Pay The Price For ITV Digital Defeat