“While this week last year marked the downturn in holiday traffic to shopping sites, traffic continues to increase steadily this year,” said Charles Buchwalter, vice president, media research at Jupiter Media Metrix. “A variety of deals and extended free-shipping incentives are contributing to this week’s shopping activity. And with many brick-and-mortar stores offering gift-purchasing online and pick-up in stores, it’s likely we’ll see more last-minute online shopping this year.”
As the holiday shopping frenzy peaks so retailers begin to see returns being made. 81% of online consumers expect that traditional retailers selling on the internet will allow customers to return products purchased online to a local store. 41% of online consumers expressed concern about buying gifts online envisaging problems in making returns.
“Returns are a big concern for consumers thinking about buying gifts online in time for holiday deadlines,” said Ken Cassar, Jupiter senior analyst. “With the ability to offer online purchasing and in-store pick-up and returns, multi-channel retailers are in a unique position to minimise the return concerns on the minds of many consumers. Brick-and-mortar retailers should infuse this message across all promotions, especially in the next few weeks leading up to the holidays.”
