Anthrax and terrorism have yet to affect catalog or online sales, says DMA

The media may be hyping the anthrax scare, but it’s not stopping catalogers from mailing catalogs, says a new report from the Direct Marketing Association. In fact, as the year moves into the holiday shopping season, getting catalogs into consumers’ homes is very important to the success of web-based retailing, catalogers say. Jeff Jones, COO of Lands’ End, says retailers still have to get catalogs to their customers because many have the catalog next to the computer while they’re shopping. Jones spoke with other catalog merchants at a press conference in Chicago today to tout the fact that they will still be in the mails.

The Direct Marketing Association, which is holding its annual convention in Chicago this week, says members report no major slowdown in the catalog business or a change in the amount of Internet business since the anthrax scare began. The DMA reports that 92% of cataloguers, direct mail marketers and non-profits say they will not alter current mailing plans.