M&S has become the first leading UK high street retailer to deliver a proper mobile commerce experience – and it has done it by going for a full mobilisation of its e-commerce strategy so now consumers can browser, search and buy online, on mobile, by phone or in store. Sienne Veit, the company’s social and mobile development manager explains why

Retailers should stop focussing on iPhones and other smartphones and look at the huge number of other devices – including games consoles, iPods and more – that are also connected to the web to build a proper m-retailing ecosystem, warns mobile web platform company Netbiscuits

Apple patents look to be offering retailers and restaurants location based apps that appear on the iPhone as the customer draws near and then vanish when they leave the area, bringing local benefits to the mobile web and m-commerce

After a couple of false starts, Visa finally launches its NFC payments dongle for the iPhone, cunningly disguised as a protective case, which allows users to start using their phone as a credit card

The MSc in Internet Retailing is nearing the end of the first year’s operation, and we invite you to join us at an Open Evening on 20 May, 2010 in London if you’re interested in …

Department store John Lewis has announced two more openings for its ‘at home’ shops, the format that brings a department store range onto the salesfloor of a smaller shop through in-store terminals. The shops in Swindon and Tunbridge Wells will open this autumn.

Social media is a much more effective way of gaining customers’ trust than advertising, according to a new report from customer engagement technology company Alterian.

Sainsbury’s tonight launches its first TV advert for its non-food website. The ad comes a week after Sainsbury’s highlighted the success of its non-food range in its full-year results.

Fredhopper, the e-commerce division of SDL, is launching in the US, where it aims to become “first choice” in the on-site search, merchandising and targeting market. The company aims to benefit from the infrastructure of parent SDL.

Online income is up at gambling shop chain Paddy Power, while confidence for the future is strong thanks to factors including the upcoming World Cup 2010, to be held in South Africa. The update came in a management statement ahead of today’s annual general meeting.

Members of IMRG’s ISIS programme can now monitor their customer service for free using eKomi customer satisfaction feedback software. David Smith of IMRG says the service will allow retailers to show off high levels of customer service.

People who love plastic shoes with loads of holes in them also appear to love in-store text promos, as footwear company Crocs has to extend mobile couponing trial after 94,000 requests for vouchers in US

Sainsbury’s is expanding its online service after a year in which sales at its internet grocery service grew by almost 20% to more than £500m. New developments include a click and collect trial from this month.

Online sales have seen some of their fastest growth of the year in recent days, according to the latest High Street Sales Tracker from BDO LLP, which showed a rise of more than 50% in online, mail order and telephone sales.

Eran Savir, co-founder and vice president of business development at Kampyle, considers how retailers can understand, and therefore reduce, the reasons online customers abandon their shopping carts.

DSG International, owner of multichannel electricals and computing brands Dixons, Currys and PC World, says it is continuing to drive “renewal and transformation” in order deliver “a better shopping trip” for customers.

Brands are now more comfortable talking direct to consumers through social media, a survey has found. They’re using the information they find to shape strategy and answer complaints.

Car hire broker Holiday Autos has chosen Twitter as its way into social media. Through its tweets it will make special offers and give destination tips and other information.

Internet, mail order and phone shopping grew by more than 15% in April, according to today’s British Retail Consortium figures. However, discounts and promotions were required to maintain momentum in the market.

Luxury fashion retailer L.K.Bennett has seen online sales double following the launch of a new e-commerce system. Net retail sales are up by more than 100%, following a replatforming exercise.