How will you do most of your holiday shopping this year?
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Crystal Potter of Cedar Rapids sits with toys she has purchased after comparison shopping online Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 at her home in Cedar Rapids. Potter checks purchasers' reviews on the Internet before buying items locally. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)
E-commerce is expected to grow strongly this holiday season, spurred by early online deals, the continued proliferation of mobile devices and more free shipping offers.
Holiday sales will likely increase 16.4 percent from a year earlier, outpacing total retail sales, which are forecast to grow about 3.9 percent, according to analysts at Jefferies & Co.
Doug Anmuth, an analyst at J.P. Morgan, expects online purchases to top 10 percent of total U.S. retail spending for the first time in the fourth quarter.
The holiday season is crucial for retailers because that is when they make the most revenue and a big chunk of their earnings.
Thanksgiving and the days following, which include what is traditionally the busiest online shopping day, Cyber Monday, are more important this year as retailers lure consumers with earlier promotions.
How will you do most of your holiday shopping this year? Are your habits changing from on-site shopping to online shopping?
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Most of my gifts will be handmade gifts from my woodworking shop. However, I purchased one gift online. I will not be purchasing any Christmas gifts in a retail store.
I perform most of my economic religious rites at that All-American Temple of Commerce, the local Wal-Mart. Bolstered on the sly by discreet devotionals made to the great god eBay.
It’s irrelevant how or when you shop. I will spend the money I earned this year on gifts for my family and donate to those who are in need.