E-Commerce Blog

After enjoying a holiday bounce, the U.S. video game industry came crashing back down to Earth in January with post-Christmas double-digit drops in hardware and software sales, according to the latest figures from industry researchers NPD Group. However, new gaming categories for casual, social media and smartphones may offer a glimmer of hope for companies still stuck in a recessionary swamp. Console sales totaled $353.7 million, a 21 percent drop compared to $446.8 million in Jan. 2009. Nintendo’s Wii topped all other consoles with 465,000 units sold.

Originally posted here:
Cold January Doesn’t Snuff Gaming Industry’s Hopes for 2010

The overheated weapons and steroid-pumped terrorists featured in “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2″ made a lot of noise in the gaming industry leading into the holidays. However, by the time receipts were totaled, it was a familiar little mustache-wearing plumber and his arcade-style melodies that sang the loudest during the winter sales season. Nintendo, “New Super Mario Brothers” and the Wii came roaring back from a dismal fall to capture the top sales spots for December, according to the industry retail tracking firm NPD Group.

Here is the original post:
Roaring December Caps Gaming’s Rotten 2009

Carbon accounting outsourcing could be the next big thing in the $80 billion business process outsourcing industry. Early out of the gate is FirstCarbon, a carbon data management subsidiary of global outsourcing services provider ADEC Solutions. Launched in June 2009, FirstCarbon is touted as the first outsourcing firm to allow companies to hand over their carbon measurement and reporting activities to a third party. Numerous green consultancies offer firms advice on how to comply with carbon reporting requirements.

The rest is here:
Outsourcing the Carbon Accounting Chore

Cyber Monday may be the most visible symbol of the increasing use of e-commerce technology in the retail sector. On just one day, Nov. 30, consumers operating from home or office computers in the U.S. spent $887 million on Internet purchases. The spending level amounted to a gain of 5 percent versus Cyber Monday of 2008, and it matched the heaviest online spending day on record, which occurred on Dec. 9, 2008. That level of spending explains why Internet marketing has become such a key component of CRM programs in the U.S. retail trade.

See more here:
The Retail Industry’s CRM Implementation Problem

I had the pleasure to recently sit down with Robin Purohit, vice president and general manager for HP Software and Solutions, to examine how CIOs are managing their IT budgets for 2010. During the economic recovery, the cost-containment conundrum of “do more for less” — that is, while still supporting all of your business requirements — is likely to remain the norm. So this discussion centers on how CIOs are grappling with implementing the best methods for higher cost optimization in IT spending, while also seeking the means to improve innovation and business results.

Read the original here:
CIOs, Get Ready to Defend Your Spend