US online retail sales this holiday season will reach $33 billion, a 21 percent increase over last year, according to Forrester Research, Inc. The survey of 2,500 online consumers analyzed spending plans across eight retail categories.
Among the findings of this year’s survey:
(1) Apparel and accessories will top holiday shopping lists — 80 percent of respondents said that they would purchase something in this category online during the upcoming holiday season;
(2) A majority of consumers have a continued interest in free shipping promotions — 61 percent of online consumers said that they are more likely to shop online with a retailer that offers free shipping;
(3) Fewer consumers are willing to pay for “frills†like gift wrap or overnight delivery this year — only 26 percent of consumers said they would pay for expedited delivery prior to the holiday season, down from 45 percent who said they would do so in 2006; and
(4) Gift cards promise to be a big winner during the 2007 holiday season — 18 percent of online consumers said that they plan to spend more on gift cards this year, compared with last year.
Originally posted on October 16, 2007 @ 8:52 pm