InformationWeek Editors Available for Comment on Disappointing Holiday Sales for e-Retailers

According to a research report released yesterday by Goldman Sachs, online sales year-over-year rose only 50% for the week ended December 3rd, down from a 139% increase the week before. These numbers indicate a failure to meet the current expectations set by analysts for e-retailers this holiday season.

Based on extensive research and recent editorial coverage, InformationWeek has developed extensive knowledge on the reasons why e-retailers are not meeting holiday sales expectations. The editors of InformationWeek are available for comment on why e-retailers are not meeting expectations and more importantly, not meeting customer demands during the critical holiday shopping season.

The following is a list of information that the editors can cover in regards to this topic:

  -- A series of mishaps and "glitches" this holiday season have once again
     hurt the credibility and trustworthiness of e-retailers among
     consumers.  These glitches include unusually slow response and load
     times due to heavy traffic on certain Web sites and outages that hamper
     consumers' ability to efficiently shop a site.  All of these issues
     have scared some consumers back to brick and mortar shopping or have
     driven them to competitive sites that were not experiencing similar
     problems.

  -- Customer expectations for the quality of Web shopping are at an
     all-time high.  Many e-retailers are failing to meet the basic
     requirements for convenience, selection and on-time delivery that will
     satisfy customer demands.

  -- Multi-channel options are key to securing customer loyalty.  Customers
     are demanding the ability to buy online and return products to the
     store and vice versa.

  -- The leading differentiator for online merchants is a personalized
     shopping experience that consumers won't find in a mall during the
     crowded holiday shopping season.  Many online companies are unable to
     offer this level of personalization.

  -- Many e-retailers are unable to offer unique products and services, in
     addition to simplicity and speed.  Consumers want expert assistance in
     selecting gifts that match an individual's tastes and preferences.
     Those e-retailers that fail to provide these services are finding it
     difficult to attract and retain consumers this holiday season.

For more information or to speak with an editor from InformationWeek, please contact: Ted Birkhahn at (212) 931-6119.

PRNewswire - Dec. 12

SOURCE: InformationWeek

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