So...how was Thanksgiving (and your Black Friday sales)?

Did you miss us? We didn't want to distract you from last week's holiday rush so we're back today with your weekly dose of top retail and e-commerce stories.

This week we're talking about:

• Even with inflation, Black Friday online sales totaled $9 billion.
• Retailers around the world are dealing with increased return rates as the holiday shopping season gets underway.
• In a recent development, Global Blue has partnered with Venistar to create an innovative solution for Tax-Free Shopping on e-commerce sales.
• Amazon's new AWS Supply Chain is designed to help businesses manage their supply chains more effectively.

Top Retail and E-commerce Stories

Still Shopping: Inflation is Not Stopping American from Shopping Online

Inflation who? Even with a rise in prices, shoppers still spent big this Black Friday. According to Adobe Analytics, U.S. online sales totaled $9.12 billion online on Black Friday.

Thanks to consumers holding out for discounts until Black Friday, online spending rose 2.3%, said Adobe Inc's data and insights arm Adobe Analytics. Even though deals started as early as October, people still waited for the traditionally big shopping day.

Return Season?: Will Retailers be Charging for Returns Soon?

It's the most wonderful time of the year...for returns that is. With some of the most popular brands like H&M, Zara, Saks Off Fifth and Abercrombie & Fitch charging consumers for returns, experts say this may make customers think twice about shopping with them at all. However, return policies are often very different during holiday season compared to the rest of the year.

Tax-Free Shopping?: Global Blue and Venistar Unveil Solution for E-commerce Sellers

Did anybody say tax-free shopping? Count us in! A solution for tax-free shopping during e-commerce is now available worldwide. Venistar has partnered with Global Blue in order to integrate this solution into multiple platforms so that international shoppers can pick up their ordered items later at a store or hotel location of their convenience.

The Amazon Corner

#NEWs: Amazon's New AWS Supply Chain

Good news for Amazon (and hopefully for you too). In recent years, we have seen an unprecedented number of supply chain disruptions. The pandemic caused a domino effect of problems that resulted in an all-out supply chain crisis.

At AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas, Amazon announced a new supply chain solution that utilizes AWS technology. Not only does it let you display your inventory data on a map, but you can also drill down to specific locations to find out where issues are occurring and how to resolve them. You can do all of this while communicating with supply chain managers across your organization, directly from the tool.

A LITTLE MORE

• 30 Under 30 Retail & E-commerce 2023: Meet The Young Entrepreneurs Reshaping The Retail Industry
• CULT & RAIN Launches its Metaverse Shopping & E-Commerce Platform
• TikTok is seeking to partner with tech startups to launch its e-commerce business.

THIS WEEK'S POLL

Last week was such a blast for a lot of retailers! How was yours? We will publish the final results in next week's Click & Conversion newsletter. 

QUICK TIP

Try this. There are a few different ways to offer discounts in your e-commerce store. Many brands choose seasonal sales, but you could also discount items by volume, offer buy one get one free deals, or just plain promotional discounts like 60% off everything.

FUN FACT

According to a PayPal survey, 57% of respondents said they shop internationally.

LISTEN UP

On this 61st episode of The E-Comm Show, our host and BlueTuskr CEO Andrew Maff is with Stacey Grace, CEO and co-founder of Kent, a plastic-free, landfill-free, organic, and compostable end-of-life basics brand.

From biodegradable innovations and promoting sustainable fashion to marketing strategies and going on Shark Tank, here is the full episode to Kent’s journey as a successful and continuously growing sustainable fashion brand.