During this tough economy many businesses are launching their first eCommerce storefront. It’s no wonder many businesses are looking to the web to boost their brick and mortar sales. The internet has a global reach that would otherwise be financially impossible for most smaller businesses to access with traditional marketing efforts.
“The National Retail Federation of New York (NRF) predicts that online shopping will be the bright spot in an otherwise bah-humbug gift buying season this year. While the trade association anticipates a sluggish 2.2 percent increase in holiday sales, it projects that online sales will go up by 17 percent.
Websites, the NRF states, are better able to withstand an economic downturn, and as a result retailers are continuing to invest in their “online shopping channels to raise the visibility of their companies.” San Diego Business Journal
The benefits of an online store are almost as good for the customer as they are for the retailer. Customers appreciate the ability to shop from home or work without having to fight traffic or stand in lines to buy gifts. According to NRF 72.8 million people, will shop for holiday gifts from work. This ease and convenience drives sales online with almost no additional marketing effort for established businesses.
Never Too Late
If you didn’t have an online store in time for this holiday season, it’s not too late to start planning for this year. The economy is going to continue squeezing merchants in an ever more competitive market. An online store makes sense no matter what time of year you launch. By December 2009 your online store could be a vital part of your growth strategy.
Jason Stuempfig, director of eCommerce for Muttropolis, which sells products for dogs and cats, says he expects sales from its online operation to be up 40 percent from last year.
“We started off as a retail store concept, and the Internet has grown tremendously for us, so our focus is more on the Web rather than opening more stores at the present time,” he said. San Diego Business Journal
Stories like Stuempfig’s are not uncommon as retailers begin to understand the impact that an online store can have on their business without adding the staggering overhead of retail space and employees.
January is typically the time for businesses to launch their new budgets. Make sure there’s room for your new eCommerce storefront, and get ready to reach a whole new pool of customers!
About the author: Jeune Ortiz is VP of Marketing and Creative Director at future-ink. With more than 20 years of experience in graphic design and marketing, Jeune brings extensive knowledge and creativity to each website and internet marketing solution to grow your business.
Share/Save
Leave a Reply