Fewer Days to Christmas Means More Online Sales
By George Anderson
Will online stores benefit from there being only 26 shopping days between Thanksgiving
and Christmas?
Chuck Davis, chief executive officer, BizRate.com, thinks so. “Consumers aren’t
going to have enough time to shop this year,” Mr. Davis told Reuters.
Analysts are predicting sales increases of up to 35 percent over last year’s
fourth quarter levels for online retailers. The shortened shopping season, retailer
incentives such as free shipping and the ease of comparison-shopping in a slow
economy are the factors, analysts believe, that will drive the growth.
BizRate, is predicting that 2002 fourth quarter online sales will grow 35 percent
to $16.8 billion. ComScore Networks is forecasting online retail sales growth
of 27 percent to $13.8 billion.
Moderator’s Comment: Will online stores benefit from
there being only 26 shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas?
Every one else seems to be getting started early on Christmas,
so here is our annual ode to the season and online shopping.
‘Twas A Few Weeks Before Christmas
‘Twas a few weeks before Christmas
All my gifts I have bought
All purchased online
No crowds to be fought.
With my credit card ready
My cable modem did hum
Purchasing every gift online
Even for Bruce, my sister’s husband,
That dirty, rotten bum.
From clothes to software,
Books, music and more.
Even scones, rashers and barm brack
From the Irish Foods store.
As I sit and I write this
One late deadline night
I’m suddenly struck
With a terrible fright.
What if Fedex is late
Bringing gifts to my door
All the items I’ve purchased
From e-commerce stores?
Don’t worry, they tell me by email and phone.
Of course you’ll have delivery of all of your scones.
Now Christmas is the season of love and of joy.
But my kids will hurt me
If they don’t get their toys.
So tonight I sit, worry and pray
That on Christmas morning
I’ll be able to say
The gifts were delivered
With time to spare
Though I’m sure you can’t tell
By the gray in my hair.
Now I speak as one who through experience knows
That in life stuff happens wherever you go.
So I’ve got a plan ready
Should the gifts not arrive
To head to the mall in a turtle crawl drive.
Through the masses of people
And my Christmas Eve plight
You’ll still hear me say with all of my might
Good will to all people and to all a good night.
[George
Anderson – Moderator]