Early Signs Point to Solid Online Shopping Holiday

[mandy]

Free shipping promotions, long a key to Internet sales success, take on extra importance this year with higher gasoline prices. Some analysts wondered whether retailers could absorb the added costs of shipping. So far the answer is yes and consumers will likely reward retailers who stand by those promotions.

Meanwhile, Yahoo said it believes small businesses will be among the biggest beneficiaries of this year's online holiday buying surge...

full article: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/rsstory/47529.html

[mandy]

Another 'holiday shopping prediction' article, this time for the UK:

UK high-street retailers are looking forward to a gloomy Christmas, as shoppers this season turn to the 'Net for their needs.

An astonishing 89 per cent of UK shoppers plan to buy online this Christmas, with 44 per cent scouting for bargains on eBay. Just 11 per cent of shoppers plan to explore the high street, with one in four preferring online shopping at home to a bruising experience on crowded high streets.

full article: http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?home&NewsID=13209

Another holiday ecommerce prediction for the USA:

Holiday e-shopping expected to surge

Much of that spending is expected to come Monday, which is called "Cyber Monday," the day people get back to work, get on their fast computers and do their shopping.

On that day, 43% of online retailers plan to offer special promotions ranging from free shipping to free gifts to discounts

full article: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.as...E139995%7D&siteid=mktw&dist=