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 2007
E-commerce giant confirms more e-books were sold on Christmas Day than physical books 29 Dec 2009
Industrial action sends shoppers to the high street 25 Nov 2009
E-commerce giant beats Wall Street's Q3 expectations with ease 23 Oct 2009
August figures higher than 2008 despite sluggish monthly growth 22 Sep 2009
Desert tortoise fears allayed? 19 Mar 2010
Cameron presents pre-election energy policy, promising greater investment certainty for low-carbon projects, green loans for households, and streamlining of planning system 19 Mar 2010
Joint statement from carbon exchange and Hungarian government aims to restore confidence in CER market 19 Mar 2010
More news
From climate change contrarians to the "KitKatastrophe" of Nestle's palm oil policy, we look at the best the green web has to offer this week 19 Mar 2010
"It needs the political enthusiasm that was behind the war on terror after 9/11" 19 Mar 2010
From the government's plans for a marine energy revolution to John Lewis' proposals for an off-grid supermarket 19 Mar 2010 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
