Online retail sales are growing, in spite of predictions to the contrary.
The pace of sales online has eased, U.S. online retail sales will still reach $104 billion in 2005, and $130 billion in 2006, Jupiter Media Metrix said, in a study released at the online research firm’s Retailing Forum in Chicago.
Other predictions showed that:
*More than 52% of the online population will be making retail purchases online by 2002, up from 40% in 2000.
*Most U.S. online buyers are not hesitant to register on a Web site and give out personal information to retailers: 70% register to receive e-mail for new products and special offers and 68% register prior to making a purchase.
*Online buyers like e-mail. Some 85% told Jupiter in March that they are very or somewhat likely to return to a site after receiving an e-mail message from a retailer.
Not surprisingly, there are now more brick-and-mortar retailers than Internet-only retailers. Of the top retail sites in March 2001, 56% were brick-and-mortar retailers, while 44% were Internet-only retailers. In March 2000, the numbers were reversed, with Internet-only retailers dominating the top 50 retail sites at 62%.
