09-05-2006, 10:59 AM
Quote: Retail analysts and research firms still are finalizing their 2006 holiday forecasts for online retail spending. One thing, however, already seems clear: online sales will be significantly higher than last year. The question of how much higher is a function of trends and events forecasters still are assessing, and ultimately how well retailers are prepared to move on what opportunities come their way.
To the extent that this years back-to-school season online can be taken as a preview of fourth quarter activity, it should be a strong holiday season, predicts Helen Malani, chief shopping expert at shopping engine Shopzilla. With the greater adoption of broadband in homes were seeing changing shopping patterns, such as more shopping late at night, after dinner and early in the morning. This is all helping to drive sales, she adds.
Less driving also will be driving sales, experts say. Most forecasters are citing high fuel costs as a likely key contributor to higher online sales this holiday season. A gas price study conducted by Shopzilla at the end of July determined prices were increasing the amount of online shopping for about one-third of the online shoppers it surveyed...
full article: http://www.internetretailer.com/article.asp?id=19742