Online retailers can expect another bumper Christmas this year according to a new report by analyst firm Forrester released this week which predicted European merchants will make 51bn Euros between October and the end of the year.
The largest internet retail market in Europe is the UK, with a predicted 20bn Euros in online sales generated by over 27 million shoppers.
"The categories that show the biggest uplift are the typical gift items –
books, videos, and DVDs, jewelry, toys, video games, consumer electronics and
alcohol," said the report. "Despite a smaller Christmas season boost, the
leisure travel category will claim most online sales- responsible for 31 percent
of Christmas sales."
The report also warned firms to gear up now for taking Christmas shopping
orders, highlighting that some consumers start their Christmas shopping as early
as October.
Forrester senior analyst Victoria Bracewell Lewis said online merchants should offer a wide variety of payment and delivery methods if they want to take advantage of the increasing popularity of online shopping.
"Online retailers who provide their customers with reliable, quick and reasonably priced delivery options will be this season's big winners," she added. "And, it's important to spell your dispatch services, especially in light of recent strikes within the Royal Mail."
Latest Apacs figures show drop in online banking fraud but big rise in card-not-present losses 05 Oct 2007
Dell and Lastminute.com among the winners 25 Jul 2007
Verdict sees biggest boom since dotcom bust 25 May 2007Clicks and mortar e-commerce firms beat the high street at Christmas selling 08 Jan 2007UK leads online shopping trend in Europe, says Forrester Research 02 Mar 2009
New research highlights the maturity of the UK market 02 Mar 2009
We look back at Computing’s highlights in the retail industry in 2008 31 Dec 2008
IT budgets fall for the first time in seven years 13 Jan 2009
Survey shows excessive packaging still the norm, as councils call for retailers to pay towards landfill taxes 17 Feb 2009
Survey of public sector IT managers reveals deep concern over ability to deliver on carbon-neutral targets 03 Jul 2009
Fresh funding will provide new wave energy research equipment and support research 03 Jul 2009
EPA hints it could soon raise efficiency bar for routers, modems and storage systems 03 Jul 2009
More news
From record-breaking solar panels to the International Renewable Energy Agency's new home, we round up the top stories from the past week 03 Jul 2009
Well, I hope they got a no win, no fee deal. I don't like being cynical (it's more of a congenital thing)... 03 Jul 2009
Recycling waste heat is nothing new, so why has the computer industry not kept up? 01 Jul 2009 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
