Are retailers ignoring e-commerce, the recession-killer?

15/01/09 posted by Chris Sharkey

If we are in a recession then ecommerce is the recession-killer. Not only has e-commerce been found to be rapidly increasing in terms of market size and profitability, it is expected to keep growing for many years to come.

In the new online world, consumers have more power than ever in making their purchase decisions; they can compare products, models and prices to make sure they get exactly what they are after. Contrast this to going out to shop: high petrol prices to get there, lack of choice compared to the internet and busy lives which rush decisions and limit shopping time.

Chris Barling from Actinic Publishers said: "Surveys over the last year have consistently found that online spending is growing rapidly...the low overheads compared to a high street outlet make selling online especially attractive”

But despite the rapid and well-documented increase of ecommerce, most retailers are failing to reap the benefits of selling online. An Actinic Publishers survey has shown that despite the increased profitability of retail internet stores that only three per cent of retailers have the facilities to sell online.

Barling added: "What I find disappointing is that the vast majority of retail businesses are not taking advantage of this golden opportunity to increase their sales, profits and customer base."
 

Sharkey Media specialises in ecommerce and online marketing. Please contact us if you would like to find out more about selling online.