E-Commerce Times Talkback

Re: Trolling for E-Commerce Trillions
Posted by: Keith Regan 2002-02-20 13:03:18

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Those who have watched e-commerce grow up probably had a lump in their throats when they
read research firm IDC's prediction that worldwide online sales will reach the US$1
trillion mark in 2002. So, what does it mean to measure e-commerce in trillions?
Surprisingly little. E-commerce wins converts not by flexing its muscles or flashing wads
of cash, but by keeping its nose to the grindstone and gaining fans one at a time.

Re: Trolling for E-Commerce Trillions
Posted by: jcrawford_1 2002-02-20 15:53:05 In reply to: Keith Regan

IDC's numbers are always valuable, but I'd be most interested in seeing a break-out of in-country vs. cross-border eCommerce revenue. For example, Amazon's recent international numbers were for revenue generated WITHIN its German, French markets, etc. When we know how much is traded online BETWEEN such nations, we'll have a better grasp of the value of global eCommerce.

Re: Trolling for E-Commerce Trillions
Posted by: davidport 2002-02-20 13:09:38 In reply to: Keith Regan

Keith asked: "what would be impressive?" Well, it'd certainly be a heck-of-a-lot more than the 4th quarter 2001 B2C sales that the Commerce Department just announced -- which were only 1.2% of total retail, and only one-tenth of one percent greater than in the 4th quarter of 2000. And in light of such paltry growth, I'd like to suggest that the only way B2C sales can ever be impressive is by illuminating and resolving what I sincerely believe to be the largest and most unrecognized constraint -- specifically: the missing function of "stores" as discussed at www.fastlaundry.com