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February 6, 2013

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Calif. court ruling in eBay case might set precedent
A California appeals court has ruled that eBay didn't violate antitrust law and had the right to cancel a seller's account in 2009 amid concern that the woman was misleading potential buyers about antiques she was selling. "This case goes to reinforce that as the marketplace, you get to set the rules," analyst Gil Luria said. San Jose Mercury News (Calif.) (free registration) (2/5)

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With B2B commerce predicted to reach over $559 billion dollars in 2013, it's imperative you understand the B2B buyer's needs. In our complimentary whitepaper, you'll learn 5 key considerations unique to B2B commerce, and 3 key predictions for the future of B2B commerce. Download the whitepaper.

Online Retail Trends

Report: Online sales grew 21.1% in 2012
Global e-commerce sales topped $1 trillion last year and are on track to rise 18.3% in 2013, according to eMarketer. The growth is fueled in large part by rapidly rising online retail sales in the Asia-Pacific region, where sales are slated to push past North America this year, the report says. The Economic Times (India)/Agence France-Presse (2/6)

Apple allows self-published works in iBookstore
Apple has added Breakout Books, an iBookstore section that features self-published works, many distributed by e-book publishing platform Smashwords. Amazon's best-seller lists increasingly include self-published books, and many self-published works are winning readers with retail prices that are much lower than those of best-sellers from traditional publishers, Smashwords CEO Mark Coker said. The Wall Street Journal (2/5)

New Media & Technology

6 tips to make the most of Instagram marketing
The photo-driven nature of Instagram makes it an effective marketing tool for restaurants. These tips from online marketer Constant Contact aim to help eateries make the most of it, starting with using your photos to tell people stories rather than making the brand the star. Restaurant-Hospitality.com (1/30)

Companies in the News

Google expands e-commerce tools with Channel Intelligence purchase
Google aims to further expand its e-commerce offerings with the acquisition of Channel Intelligence from parent ICG Group. Channel Intelligence uses data-driven services to help clients including Target and Best Buy boost their online retail sales. The Wall Street Journal (2/6)

Kindle Fire will soon take Amazon Coins
Amazon has created virtual coins that will be used to pay for applications, games and in-app items on the Kindle Fire, the company announced. A slew of Amazon Coins will be given away after they launch in May, and customers can buy more using their Amazon account. The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (2/5)

Duane Reade engages consumers with mobile game
A Google mobile game that challenges users to find objects in the real world is being used by the Walgreens-owned Duane Reade chain of stores to engage consumers. The Ingress game is currently available only in beta form as an application that can be downloaded with an invitation. Duane Reade will display the Ingress logo in store windows, noting that players can find needed objects for the game in the store. MobileCommerceDaily.com (2/6)

Arby's "Fan of the Week" promo feeds Facebook program
Arby's is running a promotion where one fan a week will get a $25 gift card for uploading a photo of themselves eating at the chain. The promotion celebrates Arby's 2 million Facebook fans, after adding more than a million in the past year, says Bob Kraut, senior vice president of brand marketing and advertising. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (2/5)

The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)

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Legislative & Regulatory

Fla. legislators offer tradeoffs in online sales tax fight
Florida lawmakers who support a previously unsuccessful push to require online retailers to collect state sales tax have upped the ante this year, with a bill that would also eliminate sales tax on equipment purchases by manufacturers, a tax cut supported by Gov. Rick Scott. The online sales tax measure, co-sponsored by Sen. Nancy Detert, would also include cuts in taxes levied on phone, cable and satellite TV services. The Miami Herald (free registration)/The Associated Press (2/5)

Shop.org Spotlight

For Walgreens, omnichannel is imperative to success
From redesigned flagship stores to enhanced fulfillment options such as same-day delivery, Walgreens has diligently repositioned the 112-year-old company to be a model 21st-century retailer. During Retail’s BIG Show last month in New York, Walgreens' vice president of e-commerce shared a glimpse of the company’s omnichannel evolution and how investments both online and off have helped meet the demands of the digital age. Read more. Shop.org Blog (2/6)

Shop.org SmartStat: Feb. 6, 2013
The rate of shopping cart abandonment has steadily increased from 71% in 2010 to 75% in June 2011. Source: SeeWhy via Shop.org white paper library.

Why Canada is a hot spot for growth in 2013 and beyond
Canada has just over half the number of retail square feet of selling space per person of the United States -- and with total online Internet sales projected to double by 2015, the opportunities for expansion in the country are compelling. In a white paper posted in the Shop.org library, SCI Logistics explains the business and economic factors that make the Canadian market a prime area for digital and brick-and-mortar businesses to grow during lean economic times. Download the white paper.

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