What will the new month bring? Regardless of the number of possible scenarios, one thing cannot be missed - and that is our Advox Press Release! In the first August issue, we will discover what new things InPost and Klarna are offering their customers. However, not all the news on the Internet is true. We'll also put under the microscope the practice of creating false reviews in online stores, and we'll talk about what action the President of the OCCP is taking against them. We invite you to read more!
The new face of InPost parcel machines
InPost once again proves that it deserves to be called a leader in the logistics services market. Appkomat, the brand's latest offering, has appeared in the first Polish cities - for now only residents of Warsaw and Krakow can use it. What is the innovation of the project, called by its creators "parcel machine of the future"?
Appkomat is actually a reconstructed version of a traditional parcel machine. The authors have dispensed with the large screen, as well as other components, making the machine work more ergonomically. All that is needed to operate the machine is a smartphone and the InPost Mobile app. Thanks to this, customers are able to receive, send, as well as return their packages completely contactless. However, the benefits don't end there - what else makes the new delivery method stand out?
According to the company's policy, Appkomat is an environmentally friendly solution. The device's optimized design allows for a significant reduction in electricity consumption. InPost also announces that in the future the devices will be equipped with photovoltaic panels and sensors to check the air condition in the area.
You can read more about InPost's new proposal here.
Deferred payments - the future standard for online shopping?
"The smoothest payment method" - this is how Klarna describes its service, which is taking the polish eCommerce market by storm. The swedish fintech primarily offers the possibility to pay using deferred payments, while still expanding its offer with other services. What solutions does the application guarantee?
- BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) payments, which allow you to pay up to 30 days after placing an order without interest or additional fees,
- the possibility of splitting the cost of purchase into 3 convenient payments,
- a virtual wallet to store your loyalty cards,
- Klarna bonus club, which means access to exclusive promotions and exclusive offers,
- Virtual Shopping, an innovative approach to online shopping - customers shopping through online stores can take advantage of the benefits characteristic of stationary stores. How? They have the opportunity to watch a live broadcast or chat with a consultant in the store and thus receive photos and videos of products in real time.
Currently, Klarna mainly brings together representatives of the fashion industry. Last month, the company established cooperation with LPP - one of the largest clothing groups in Poland, which includes such brands as Reserved, Sinsay, Mohito, House and Cropp. Which other stores will benefit from the option of paying later? Both popular chain stores or niche polish brands and luxury fashion houses have joined the project. We will make purchases in such a form at, among others: Adidas, H&M, Kubota or Vitkac.com.
The implementation of such facilities does not require much effort on the part of the online store owner, and translates into significantly higher sales results. Deferred payments are an ideal solution for retaining customers who might abandon purchases due to a temporary lack of funds. In today's inflationary times, it's also a chance to optimize one's budget and avoid the risk of price increases. We may wonder if the above sales model will become standard, or if it is just a temporary trend.
Details of Klarna's collaboration with LPP are available here.
OCC vs fake reviews in eCommerce
Financial penalties of up to 10% of turnover - that's what companies choosing to create, solicit and post fake reviews online may soon face. Recently, such charges were brought against two companies involved in compiling positive reviews for other businesses in order to artificially secure their good reputations. The Office also kept a close eye on ceneo.pl and opineo.pl, which had a habit of hiding some of the negative comments and then not including them in global statistics. However, the popular price comparison sites stopped their harmful practices shortly after the intervention.
"The reputation of entrepreneurs should be based on truthful information and shaped within the framework of fair market play," OCCP President Tomasz Chróstny stressed in his statement.
The OCCP's current actions are part of an in-depth analysis of the market conducted since 2021. It turns out that consumers of online stores are increasingly wary of positive reviews and are afraid to make purchasing decisions based on reviews found on sellers' websites. How can this be remedied?
As of May 28, 2022, the Omnibus Directive, which strengthens the consumer's position in the electronic market, is in force in the European Union (you can read more about the directive itself in our ebook). It systematizes, among other things, the provisions on the manipulation of consumer decisions. The act has still not been implemented in the Polish legal order, but in anticipation of the changes the idea of verifying the authenticity of opinions by providing the number of a receipt or other proof of purchase has appeared. However, is this enough to eliminate fraudulent practices once and for all?
You can read about the above procedure and how to safely use online reviews here.
