Study: Global Holiday Net Sales To Top $25B

The research firm also predicts that the fallout from the September 11th attacks on the U.S. will only have a negligible impact on planned spending by U.S. consumers, with domestic holiday sales via the Web estimated to climb 30 percent from 2000 to $11.86 billion. Repeat buyers will help to drive much of the growth.

"The increase in online holiday shopping sales will be driven by increases in online users, buyers, and most importantly, the experience level of online buyers, which our research indicates is the single most important predictor of online spending," said GartnerG2 senior analyst Mike Cruz.

Four Out of Five Shoppers ...

As part of its two-week survey of nearly 16,500 American consumers completed earlier this month, GartnerG2 found that, of those who made online purchases last year, over 80 percent were inclined to shop via the Internet at the same rate in the coming months.

Over 13 percent of online shoppers reported that they will likely spend less online this holiday season, and approximately 6 percent said they intend to spend more.

As of mid-2001, GartnerG2 said more than 71 million U.S. adults had made an online purchase within a three-month period, a 23 percent increase from the previous year.

More Satisfaction

Because many Web sites have increased the functionality and ease of use on their sites, the study said, consumers are returning to buy more online.

"In 1999, many consumers were disappointed with the operational and customer service performance of online vendors," said GartnerG2 research director David Schehr. "The result was that over half of those who bought gifts online in 1999 stayed away from holiday buying online in 2000."

However, e-tailers got their act together in 2000 and, as a result, more than three-quarters of those surveyed by GartnerG2 reported that they were very satisfied with their buying experience.

"This means there will be less attrition from those who bought online last year, and those returning this year are likely to increase their spending levels," said Schehr.

Around the World

While North American e-tailers continue to lead the pack in terms of online sales, the report concluded that other regions are displaying stronger growth rates. According to GartnerG2, roughly 53 percent of holiday spending over the Internet, accounting for $13.4 billion, will be made outside North America, compared to 50 percent last year.

The study found that the jump in Web users worldwide has mirrored the number of new retailers charging into the online arena. For instance, GartnerG2 said there has been a marked increase in European brick-and-click marketers, with many hoping to improve their proposition and receipts through online holiday sales.

"In Europe, e-tailers continue to improve their Web site functionality by offering stock checking, order tracking and keeping their customers informed by e-mail," said GartnerG2 European business analyst Gill Mander.

As a result of these beefed-up offerings, the study projects European consumers will spend $8.58 billion online in the next three months, almost 40 percent more than the $6.15 billion in transactions completed during the same period last year.

Asia Ascends

Echoing the moves of their European counterparts, local retailers in the Asia/Pacific market are starting to develop multichannel sales and marketing models, including some direct selling of products and services on the Internet.

Among the strongest online vending adopters in the area, said GartnerG2, are Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

The study said retail banks, card companies and domestic consumer portals are helping to drive the region's growth by actively promoting and fostering online buying through site certification and extended customer loyalty programs.

Moreover, many consumers are drawn to online shopping by the wider availability of specialty items on the Web that are in low supply in the buyers' local markets.

Christmas Cheer

"The fourth quarter has also increasingly become a holiday shopping season in Asia/Pacific," said GartnerG2 Asia/Pacific research director Lane Leskela. "Christmas has penetrated the local culture of many non-Christian societies in the region as a family and friends gift-giving celebration."

GartnerG2 estimates that holiday sales in the region will climb over 53 percent from last year to $2.46 billion. Japan will likely display the strongest growth rate of any other country, according to GartnerG2, with spending there mushrooming 68 percent to $1.4 billion.