11-01-2005, 08:39 AM
Quote:Online holiday sales will increase 25% to $18 billion this holiday season, despite falling consumer confidence and higher gas prices, according to a new report...
While some retailers speculate that rising gas prices will drive shoppers to the web, Forrester says the typical web shopperwho has an average household income of $68,000will have less discretionary income to spend this holiday season, whether offline or online. If consumers are worried about paying $50 for gas, theyre not going to jump online to spend their hearts out,...
But the 2.5 million new households expected to shop online this year should offset decreased spending by consumers, producing a healthy increase in online sales...
...free shipping that will be offered by about 79% of online retailers this year.
However, online retailers will likely face a weak first quarter...
full article: http://www.internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?id=16585