Online shopping will grow this quarter, Gartner says
Online shopping will increase and will cause in-store sales to fall, says new research from the Gartner Group. “Expect an increase in online purchases—and be ready as in-store purchases drop as much as 10%,” says Gartner Research Director Geri Spieler in a new report Crisis Planning Strategies for Retailers. “All indicators point to a shift in holiday spending practices, not only in terms of amount, but also in terms of lifestyle, spending, and the security of being at home,” Spieler says. “We predict that consumer online sales in North America for 2001 will be $12 billion. With the economic challenges and uncertain future facing consumers, we expect more holiday shopping to shift from the brick-and-mortar store to the online store. “
Consumers are rethinking their shopping habits and travel plans in more ways than ever before, Spieler says. Some will shop online from home rather than visit a crowded shopping mall during the holiday season. Many will travel by car, bus or train, rather than fly to a destination that is less than 500 miles away. And some who would normally have traveled to visit family and friends to spend the holidays will stay home and send gifts bought online.
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