eMarketer published two articles on Friday that centered around the future of retailers’ e-commerce business initiatives, including some thoughts on the holiday shopping season and eCommerce investment trends as we head into 2010.

In a Q&A session with Scot Wingo, CEO of Channel Advisor, one of our strategic software providers, the message was clear—social and mobile initiatives aren’t on retailers’ menus for this holiday season, but it will be the main dish next year and a key part of their long-term success. Scot said retailers “will start to adopt these tactics en masse” in 2010, but this year we should only expect to see “dabbling.” It’s interesting to hear that characterization, since we’re seeing quite a bit of “dabbling” these days as companies like Tommy Hilfiger launch mobile stores and others like Best Buy, American Eagle Outfitters and Diane Von Furstenberg have introduced cool social shopping features that help their customers connect with each other on their sites, or chat live with customer care agents via Facebook pages.

This year Best Buy introduced the Pitch In Card, a reloadable
card friends and family can donate to.

The second article puts the spotlight on e-commerce technologies like live help services and personalization capabilities, pointing out that retailers are investing in upgrading their e-commerce sites now to prepare for the future spike in consumer confidence. The article highlights a survey conducted by Internet Retailer and Vovici Corp., which found that more than seven in 10 online retailers plan to invest in more sophisticated and advanced e-commerce applications and services this year, noting their existing software can’t compete with online consumers’ demand for a top-notch shopping experience. While e-commerce applications such as content management and customer reviews topped the chart of desired site add-ons or replacements, live help was right behind with 34 percent of all respondents indicating a plan to add or replace live chat / click to call in the next year. The survey also revealed that 37 percent of respondents plan to add or replace personalization, indicating a continued emphasis on this for 2010.

From surveys to advice from thought-leading CEOs, it is clear that retailers are putting their ducks in a row for 2010 and expecting a resurgence in online consumer activity in the coming months. Both articles are good reads – take a look and feel free to weigh in with your thoughts below.