Tag: E-Commerce

E-Commerce Sales in ’06 to Jump 20 Percent to USD 211.4B: Shop.org Study

Posted by | May 23, 2006 | |

Online retail sales this year are projected to grow 20 percent to USD 211.4 billion when including travel, according to a new study from Forrester Research for Shop.org.

The numbers, published in Shop.org’s 2006 State of Retailing Online report, are projected at USD 138 billion if travel is excluded. The same growth drivers figure this year as in years past.

“I think one of the key factors is the new categories or the more categories that people are shopping,” said Scott Silverman, executive director of Shop.org, Washington, DC.

“For 2006, the two fastest growing categories are pet supplies and cosmetics and fragrances,” he said. “These aren’t the biggest categories, but they’re the fastest growing. It illustrates the fact that customers are increasingly comfortable of buying in new categories and especially those you don’t normally associate with online retail.”

Computer hardware and software, at USD 16.8 billion, is the largest non-travel category projected this year. Autos and auto parts is next, with USD 15.9 billion. Apparel and accessories follows with USD 13.8 billion.

Pet supplies and cosmetics and fragrances are expected to post growth rates of more than 30 percent this year — more than any other category measured by Forrester.

The study of 174 retailers — not all of them members of Shop.org or its National Retail Federation parent — found that retailers increasingly are investing in multichannel integration. However, customer security is a major concern for those surveyed.

That said, e-commerce is set to get more recognition as a major revenue source within multichannel retailers.

Read More

500,000 visit Belgian Post online shop since May 2005

Posted by | May 22, 2006 | |

The online shop of Belgian postal service company De Post/La Poste has attracted over 500,000 visitors since its launch in May 2005, the company said on May 22, 2006. The visitors who made a purchase spent on average 130 euro (USD166) and 20 pct of them visited the online shop systematically. The most preferred items are stamps, philately products and postcards, which are delivered to the customers within two days. De Post/La Poste opened the online store on May 23, 2005.

Read More

HMV fights sales dip with home delivery service

Posted by | May 19, 2006 | |

HMV is planning to roll out a store-to-door home delivery service to give shoppers in smaller stores access to its full range. The entertainment retailer has piloted the service in 20 outlets, but will expand the operation across its estate from August. The news is part of HMV’s fight-back strategy as it attempts to become a major multi-channel retailer and reverse its sales decline.

Read More

UK village post offices: what next?

Posted by | Mar 8, 2006 | |

Innovative alternatives to the traditional post office could provide postal products to rural communities more cost-effectively, a report revealed today.
In a series of trials, more than 50 villages were provided with the products normally available in their local post office a range of different ways. A “virtual service”, in which customers could order products such as stamps over the phone or internet for home delivery, and a mobile service which tours villages in a van, were among the methods piloted by the Post Office study.
The Rural Pilot Activity also tested services where the post office was provided in a local shop or church hall or a post office employee travelled to the village to provide the service in a host premises. There are currently 8,000 rural Post Office branches, most of which make a loss. The Government pays a £150 million social network payment each year to maintain rural post offices, which it is committed to paying up until 2008.

Read More

Online spending hits new peak

Posted by | Feb 22, 2006 | |

Growth in online shopping surpassed expectations last year. Most of the key annual indicators are now in, and show a consistent pattern. Verdict Research says the UK value was up 28.9 per cent to £8.2 billion, and growth was 19 times as much as in overall retail spending. Interactive Media in Retail Group says Christmas spending was up 50 per cent to £5 billion – a finding echoed by Royal Mail’s increase of 44 per cent in items handled (to 77 million). IMRG’s figure for the whole of 2005 is £19.6bn (calculated on a different basis from Verdict’s). In the US, JupiterResearch says online spending reached $81 billion last year, and will rise 17 per cent to $95 billion this year, increasing to $144 billion by 2010.

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

How ready do you feel for the de minimis changes coming in July?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!




View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest