The Online Holiday Shopping report provides a preview of the trends that will affect the sales of Internet merchandise this shopping season—and compares them to seasons past and future.
Online sales this year will be driven by the increased spending of existing online buyers. These “seasoned” online buyers have confidence in e-commerce, and they even shop with unfamiliar Web retailers to find unusual gifts. They also shop later into the season because they trust that e-tailers will meet delivery guarantees
eMarketer predicts that online holiday sales will reach $31 billion this season, up 18.5% over 2006. Although this is a drop-off from last year's growth rate of 25%, it beats the low single-digit growth rate forecast for the overall retail industry this holiday season.
US Retail E-Commerce Holiday Season Sales, 2003-2007 (billions and % increase vs. prior year)
Key questions the “Online Holiday Shopping” report addresses:
- What is the outlook for online holiday spending this year compared with recent years?
- What are the key trends that will shape online holiday shopping this year?
- What role do different media play in the holiday purchase decision process?
- How have online retailers' holiday marketing strategies evolved?
- And many others…
Talk about doom and gloom. Gas prices are going through the roof and the value of the dollar is falling through the floor. What does it mean for the all-important 2007 holiday shopping season?