Future Of Home Shopping

BalletBabe · ‎03-05-2011

This is a comment that is on The Linda Mosses Home shopping Blog. I think this says it all.

U.S. consumer sales in general have risen over the past few months, despite rampant inflation, but that wasn’t the cases at QVC or HSN. Not a good first quarter or a good look for the new CEO of the parent of the two home shopping networks, Qurate Retail. Revenue for QxH slid from to $1.684 […]

The “I’m with friends” vibe means nothing to the ones the home shopping channels are trying to attract. They do not watch these shows on tv. They are too busy on their phones. When they want something, and they do quite often, they go on Amazon, or other sites that offer free shipping and free returns. I have seen this with multiple family members and have been the recipient of gifts from these sites. If something I received doesn’t fit I just drop it in a box that is in several places near my home and the gift giver gets a credit. I tried to entice a couple of them to open home shopping credit cards when they were giving $40 to do so and they would have nothing to do with it. Unlike me who did that a couple of years ago. These people, guaranteed, will not be the future customers of home shopping channels.

kaydee50 · ‎02-07-2011

Agree! Unless the shopping networks radically change, I give them 5 years at the most.

I have been watching for 20+ years and have seen these channels go down hill. I would not miss any of them in the least.

Spending hours on a mattress, vacuum cleaner, etc. etc. is so obsolete.

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

If they played it right though---Qurate could still be effective because their advantage is customers get to see the products actually demonstrated live and get extra info from the host or vendor (hopefully)...Even Amazon must think thats a good way to bring in sales, since they experimenting with live demos......Dont make it an infomercial thats the key....

Where Qurate misses is presentations need to be effective ---short and hit the high points ---these long lengthy presentations just dont hack it in todays busy busy world....they need more variety in products too---

And they need to stop with all mattresses, beds, computers, vacuums 99% of every weekend...it looks like they've designated those days for the high ticket items....but is that the best use of the time when people are relaxing and may see something as the are flipping channels--Also you dont need 2 or 3 presentations of the TSV in one show!!! especially when you are showcasing it all day long...🤔....

And I agree, while a pleasant informed host is important 2 on the same show arent necessary and "the host are friends" and the silliness and family stories doesnt work either....and is a turnoff...and their financials prove it...

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

BalletBabe · ‎03-05-2011

@Spurt wrote:
If they played it right though---Qurate could still be effective because their advantage is customers get to see the products actually demonstrated live and get extra info from the host or vendor (hopefully)...Even Amazon must think thats a good way to bring in sales, since they experimenting with live demos......

Where Qurate misses is presentations need to be effective ---short and hit the high points ---these long lengthy presentations just dont hack it in todays busy busy world....they need more variety in products too---

And they need to stop with all mattresses, beds, computers, vacuums 99% of every weekend...it looks like they've designated those days for the high ticket items....but is that the best use of the time when people are relaxing and may see something as the are flipping channels--Also you dont need 2 or 3 presentations of the TSV in one show!!! especially when you are showcasing it all day long...🤔

@Spurt The thing is they are not going to change. I think this is going on way too long. If they only listened to the Customer. The other thing is Too many issues like: Internet issues all the time, Shipping issues for the past several years long before Covid. Returns a nightnare. Quality of products are bad. Hosts don't give enough information instead they are way too busy talking about their Family or Disney World which shoppers could care less. Hosts acting like children. Need I go on? So much is wrong it is sad.

MG Chris · ‎09-10-2020

Everyone has valid points. I don't have cable and only watch the clips online of the product I am interested in. The family stories, idle chit-chat, etc., don't interest me. Just give me the info, size, color, Have the hosts be professional and prepared, make sure the know the item they are selling and can pronounce the words correctly as in you know do their job. Get the product to me in a timely matter and stop with the excuses.

I wanted to add that I order skincare from the UK, and it takes about a week and a half to get it with free shipping. I ordered something from the Q two weeks ago and paid for shipping, and I have yet to receive it. Crazy...

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

@BalletBabe wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
If they played it right though---Qurate could still be effective because their advantage is customers get to see the products actually demonstrated live and get extra info from the host or vendor (hopefully)...Even Amazon must think thats a good way to bring in sales, since they experimenting with live demos......

Where Qurate misses is presentations need to be effective ---short and hit the high points ---these long lengthy presentations just dont hack it in todays busy busy world....they need more variety in products too---

And they need to stop with all mattresses, beds, computers, vacuums 99% of every weekend...it looks like they've designated those days for the high ticket items....but is that the best use of the time when people are relaxing and may see something as the are flipping channels--Also you dont need 2 or 3 presentations of the TSV in one show!!! especially when you are showcasing it all day long...🤔
@Spurt The thing is they are not going to change. I think this is going on way too long. If they only listened to the Customer. The other thing is Too many issues like: Internet issues all the time, Shipping issues for the past several years long before Covid. Returns a nightnare. Quality of products are bad. Hosts don't give enough information instead they are way too busy talking about their Family or Disney World which shoppers could care less. Hosts acting like children. Need I go on? So much is wrong it is sad.

@BalletBabe

A co-worker and I were selected to attend a Business Conference they had different speakers on a variety of topics. While very little actually pertained to our company's business, as a consumer I found it very interesting and informative---One presentation was titled,"Extinct Dinosaurs And Retailers Of The Past"....and it showed the names of all the companies that were once king of the retail world but were now "extinct"----and the main focus of that speaker was "the importance of listening to your customers" and "the importance of good customer service".....THE KEYS TO SUCCESS.-----AMEN! If Qurate doent listen they may join that extinct category...JCP is in serious trouble and look what happened to Sears, Montgomery Wards....etc etc

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

BalletBabe · ‎03-05-2011

@Spurt wrote:
@BalletBabe wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
If they played it right though---Qurate could still be effective because their advantage is customers get to see the products actually demonstrated live and get extra info from the host or vendor (hopefully)...Even Amazon must think thats a good way to bring in sales, since they experimenting with live demos......

Where Qurate misses is presentations need to be effective ---short and hit the high points ---these long lengthy presentations just dont hack it in todays busy busy world....they need more variety in products too---

And they need to stop with all mattresses, beds, computers, vacuums 99% of every weekend...it looks like they've designated those days for the high ticket items....but is that the best use of the time when people are relaxing and may see something as the are flipping channels--Also you dont need 2 or 3 presentations of the TSV in one show!!! especially when you are showcasing it all day long...🤔
@Spurt The thing is they are not going to change. I think this is going on way too long. If they only listened to the Customer. The other thing is Too many issues like: Internet issues all the time, Shipping issues for the past several years long before Covid. Returns a nightnare. Quality of products are bad. Hosts don't give enough information instead they are way too busy talking about their Family or Disney World which shoppers could care less. Hosts acting like children. Need I go on? So much is wrong it is sad.
@BalletBabe

A co-worker and I were selected to attend a Business Conference they had different speakers on a variety of topics. While very little actually pertained to our company's business, as a consumer I found it very interesting and informative---One presentation was titled,"Retailers Past Like Extinct Dinosaurs"....and it showed the names of all the companies that were once king of the retail world but were now "extinct"----and the main focus of one speaker was "the importance of listening to your customers" and "the importance of good customer service".......AMEN! ----The KEYS TO SUCCESS. If Qurate doent listen they may join that extinct category...JCP is in serious trouble and look what happened to Sears, Montgomery Wards....etc etc

@Spurt I agree and it really is sad. I remember going to JCP for all my school clothes. Sears whoever thought thay would fail?? Amazon is killing a lot of business, but if they took a look at what they do, it could help them. If they read these boards it would help. I just think the new generation will never put up with all of this. Trying to get everyone to Face Book is nuts. Face Book is not doing well either. It is all sad because I think most of us would like to not see it fail. I wonder how many they have already lost with all these problems? I know myself I get stuff from Amazon almost daily. I price compare and QVC's prices are out of hand. IMO

Spurt · ‎03-20-2010

@BalletBabe wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
@BalletBabe wrote:
@Spurt wrote:
If they played it right though---Qurate could still be effective because their advantage is customers get to see the products actually demonstrated live and get extra info from the host or vendor (hopefully)...Even Amazon must think thats a good way to bring in sales, since they experimenting with live demos......

Where Qurate misses is presentations need to be effective ---short and hit the high points ---these long lengthy presentations just dont hack it in todays busy busy world....they need more variety in products too---

And they need to stop with all mattresses, beds, computers, vacuums 99% of every weekend...it looks like they've designated those days for the high ticket items....but is that the best use of the time when people are relaxing and may see something as the are flipping channels--Also you dont need 2 or 3 presentations of the TSV in one show!!! especially when you are showcasing it all day long...🤔
@Spurt The thing is they are not going to change. I think this is going on way too long. If they only listened to the Customer. The other thing is Too many issues like: Internet issues all the time, Shipping issues for the past several years long before Covid. Returns a nightnare. Quality of products are bad. Hosts don't give enough information instead they are way too busy talking about their Family or Disney World which shoppers could care less. Hosts acting like children. Need I go on? So much is wrong it is sad.
@BalletBabe

A co-worker and I were selected to attend a Business Conference they had different speakers on a variety of topics. While very little actually pertained to our company's business, as a consumer I found it very interesting and informative---One presentation was titled,"Retailers Past Like Extinct Dinosaurs"....and it showed the names of all the companies that were once king of the retail world but were now "extinct"----and the main focus of one speaker was "the importance of listening to your customers" and "the importance of good customer service".......AMEN! ----The KEYS TO SUCCESS. If Qurate doent listen they may join that extinct category...JCP is in serious trouble and look what happened to Sears, Montgomery Wards....etc etc
@Spurt I agree and it really is sad. I remember going to JCP for all my school clothes. Sears whoever thought thay would fail?? Amazon is killing a lot of business, but if they took a look at what they do, it could help them. If they read these boards it would help. I just think the new generation will never put up with all of this. Trying to get everyone to Face Book is nuts. Face Book is not doing well either. It is all sad because I think most of us would like to not see it fail. I wonder how many they have already lost with all these problems? I know myself I get stuff from Amazon almost daily. I price compare and QVC's prices are out of hand. IMO

@BalletBabe

I totally agree with what you said----And yes Facebook is considered passe and "old people's social media" TikTok and Instagram have taken the lead.....

As the Seminar talked about---its the little things that make the difference---JCP hired an Apple Executive, but retail and technology dont translate and he made major changes and did away with a lot of things the JCP customers liked and lots of people quit shopping there....he got fired, but the damage had been done and JCP is still trying to recover and is in bad shape...The JCP store in my favorite shopping center is a shadow of what JCP used to be---very little now in home/kitchen/bed & bath---and once a strong point---curtains/drapes/window coverings

And about Amazon, saw an interview with an Amazon on one of those Business Channel Shows and he admitted that Amazon doesnt always have the best prices but people like them, love prime delivery and trust them so much they don't comparison shop and they stick with them......

Animals are reliable, full of love, true in their affections, grateful. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”

Trix · ‎03-16-2010

@BalletBabe Qurate could change in a short amount of time. They keep changing the president of the shopping channels when they need an overhaul of department heads and contracted consultants and companies advising the president. They seriously need a new marketing director, a new PR director, a new director of on-air production (or whatever title Qurate gives the person who heads up what and who are seen on-air and streaming); they tried to shift younger with the buying team, but perhaps that experiment has failed by alienating far too many long term loyal customers, without actually developing a new loyal younger customer base. There's far more to it than changing the nameplates on some office doors, but sometimes that's a good start.

As a retired marketing professional, I've been to many business conferences with workshops similar to the one @Spurt attended. I miss those conferences and seminars. The leadership of those defunct stores heard the same warning shots for years from retail consultants whose job was to study and report on every aspect of the business of retail, but most steadfastly refused to budge on how they had always done things. It was just terrible how a few changes might have saved some of those stores from closing. It should be added that there were also some stores that were killed when their family majority ownership groups took the money and ran, selling off to one lousy company (the one that ruined so many wonderful local department stores and branded them with one name across the country).

I like TV shopping and hope that it survives this bump and rebounds to a comfortably profitable business even if it never reaches the heights of the late 20th and early 21st Centuries. Qurate leadership could actually run focus research studies among the customer base, and utilize that feedback, along with the expertise of their retail management team, and since they are a visual medium they must also have TV production people on the leadership team. I wish them well.