It may be all downhill for the High Street where Christmas sales are concerned this year, but what are the predictions for online sales? According to reports from leading research agencies, they are on the up. So for retailers this means get your wares on the internet, and make your online presence a good one!
Doom and gloom messages reverberating courtesy of the credit crunch spin doctors hint that this Christmas won't even see the last minute rush that usually rescues retailers just as they thought there was no ring left in their tills.
Huw Thomas of PMC, a firm of retail systems experts who work with the likes of Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Monsoon, made the startling prediction back in October that the lead up to 25 December 2008 would be "the nightmare before Christmas" and that expectations of a last minute rush could be "forlorn hope."
Following on from this, research company Verdict released a set of predictions for Christmas sales in 2008 stating that life is going to be 'particularly tough' for non-food retailers and that, "Unless they can stand out from the crowd with a compelling offer, they will be passed over by far more selective consumers."
For retailers it is therefore vital they start 'doing something different' and watching the trends that are taking place before their eyes; those trends being a distinct move to online shopping. But not just online shopping - fast, smooth and secure online shopping - because the important thing is not just to do something, but to do it in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd.
Shopping online is considered good for the environment according to a survey conducted by market researcher GfK which showed that more than two in five people believe that internet shopping helps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Adding to the benefits of having a strong internet presence, online shopping is also considered a money-saving option - something crucial that should be capitalised on during these economically troubled times. Research conducted by CapGemini indicates that the credit crunch is encouraging consumers to shop smarter by going online rather than to the High Street so that they can easily compare prices, save money on parking and petrol and will be less likely to make impulse purchases.
CapGemini also predicts that general UK online sales for the last quarter of 2008 will be up 60% on last year and IMRG suggests that 77% of shoppers plan to do at least half of their Christmas shopping online compared to 56% in 2007.
With such strong indications that internet shopping is set to increase despite the economic slow down, retailers must get themselves a web presence - and make sure it's a good one.
This article ends with a strong warning for retailers courtesy of PMC's Huw Thomas who says: "Those retailers that get their strategies right should do well. When hard pressed clients no longer feel the urge to drag themselves down the recession-hit desert of the high street the lure of online shopping still exists. The trouble is that too many retailers fail to make their online offer attractive, easy to use and 100% reliable - now is not the time to find your online offer is not up to scratch."
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