Digital Commerce 360 Insights

We've all been there, sitting in a doctor's waiting room, listening to people around us cough and sneeze and wondering if we're going to catch what they've got. But some patients in southwest Michigan, where Spectrum Health operates, got a reprieve from this year's nasty flu bug. In this episode, Spectrum Health chief operating officer Tina Freese Decker shares how the health system's long-term investments in digital health services helped deliver health care to those in need and limit the flu's spread.

In this episode, B2B E-Commerce World editors Paul Demery and Bill Briggs share and discuss their predictions for B2B e-commerce in 2018. The episode digs into the hot topics of the Internet of Things, platform-readiness and the role of the sales team in an increasingly digital world.

We've been in touch with a clutch of retail's top thought leaders asking what their top predictions for the industry are for 2018. In this episode, Rob Garf, vice president of industry strategy and insights at Salesforce Commerce Cloud, shares his predictions. The episode digs into the hot topics of artificial intelligence and voice-driven experiences, and what these developments mean for retailers.

Children's Health is one of the largest pediatric health care providers, and as VP of digital health Julie Hall-Barrow is the driving force behind its ground-breaking initiatives to deliver care to kids who might otherwise not see a doctor. In this episode Hall-Barrow and Internet Health Management editor Mark Brohan discuss the origination and execution of Children's Health's school- and community-based telehealth programs and the digital monitoring methods it uses to make sure patients stay healthy.

Online retailers have booked strong holiday sales this season, and in this episode we analyze the sales activity and trends evident during Cyber Week--the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday (the Monday following Thanksgiving). Providing statistics and analysis is Ken Cassar, VP and principal analyst at Slice Intelligence. Ken names the week's sales winners and losers, market leaders and challengers, and forecasts what retailers and consumers can expect for the remainder of the season.

Dr. Robert Pearl, former CEO of Permanente, the largest medical group in the U.S., has a unique vantage point on how much digital and data technology can help transform--or at least improve--how health care is delivered and managed in this country. In this episode he talks about digital technology's contribution to improved treatments and outcomes for patients and the themes running through his recently published book, "Mistreated: Why We Think We're Getting Good Health Care--and Why We're Usually Wrong."

Retail companies born online are learning how the strategic use of physical stores can add value to their business. Retailers including Bonobos, ModCloth, Fabletics, Amazon and others are opening stores to build brand recognition and acquire customers as growth online gets harder, or more costly, to come by. And as editor Zak Stambor learned in reporting the November cover story of Internet Retailer magazine, driving direct sales from stores is a secondary objective for most merchants.

“We shop for everything else online, why not health benefits?" says Alan Cohen, co-founder of Liazon, the first private exchange for health care enrollment. Cohen walks us through the rise of private healthcare exchanges and how they give employees more control over their coverage. Cohen outlines where the pricing of health services are headed, including dynamic pricing and auctions. "I need to have a knee replacement: Bid on it," he says, describing how patients may buy services in the near future.

This episode tackles the design and service challenges manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors face when selling B2B online. Guests Lauren Freedman of Astound Commerce and Paul Demery of B2BecNews and lead author behind the B2B E-Commerce 300 rankings share their findings and insights on what B2B companies engaged in e-commerce are doing well, and what areas need some work.

More e-retailers in North America run their sites on Magento's e-commerce platform than any other. Magento's gone through many big changes in the two years since it spun off from eBay. In this episode, Magento CEO Mark Lavelle provides an update on these changes, shares what Magento users need to know and the opportunities he sees for online retailers.

Recognized physician leader Dr. Halee Fischer-Wright shares her prescription for rebuilding the healthcare system's health, and says it begins with improving the relationships patients have with their doctors. This includes incorporating digital technology into the relationship and the service medical practices provide. In this episode, Dr. Fischer-Wright shares findings from her book, "Back to Balance," and her years as a practicing physician and as CEO of the Medical Group Management Association.

Andy Williams sings the holidays are the "most wonderful time of the year," and many online retailers agree. The Nov.-Dec. period accounts for an out-sized proportion of annual sales. This episode covers industry forecasts for holiday sales, how online merchants large and small are staffing up to manage the volume, and the marketing programs they are putting in place to draw consumers. Retailers discussed include Macy's, Amazon, Jet, J&P Cycles, Leather Gloves Online and Shoebacca.

This episode digs into one of the more dynamic product categories in e-retailing. Because of its high margins, reorder rates and the typically small, light goods sold (read: cheap to ship), health and beauty goods are among the most profitable in e-retailing. Internet Retailer's research director Stefany Zaroban, author of the "Health & Beauty Online" report, covers the digital strategies of companies including Estée Lauder and Beautykind, which is taking a hands-on approach to building a customer base.

U.S. consumers spent nearly $360 billion on apparel last year, and nearly 24% of that spending happened online. In this episode, Don Davis, author of Internet Retailer's 2017 Online Apparel Retail Report, explores what is compelling consumers to shift their apparel spending online, which merchants are winning or losing online, and how retail chains and brand manufacturers are responding to the digital challenge. Retailers discussed include Canada Goose, Amazon, Walmart, M. Gemi, Nike and Ivory Ella.

This quick-hit episode divulges results from a survey Internet Retailer conducted with BizRate Insights of more than 2,800 online shoppers. Consumers shared their perceptions of some of the largest e-retailers and exactly which shopping apps they have--and use--on their phones. Senior research analyst Fareeha Ali shares the findings.