On line sales to top USD 200 Billion this year
On line sales to top USD 200 Billion this year
Read MoreTag: Retailing
U.S. air exports, domestic ground parcel set records in 2005
U.S. air exports, domestic ground parcel set records in 2005
Read MoreE-Commerce Sales in ’06 to Jump 20 Percent to USD 211.4B: Shop.org Study
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 MoreUPS expands French retail network through Office Depots
UPS has enlarged its retail network in France through a cooperation agreement with Office Depot, an office furniture and equipment chain. The new outlets are primarily targeted at small businesses with irregular parcel volumes. In a customer message posted on its website, UPS France said that it now offered delivery services through a total of 42 Office Depot stores in major cities across France. Parcels processed through the retail chain would be delivered to addresses in France and the EU within 24 hours, and within two days to most international destinations.
Read More500,000 visit Belgian Post online shop since May 2005
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.
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