With every roll-out of a Web store in 1998 came declarations that the shop would make shoppping easier. The truth is that it was too seldom truly easy. It is a paradox then that industry survivors are actually starting to deliver on the promise of easy shopping. Public Broadcasting on Sale Public radio and television stations, with little retail experience, are starting to expand their previously modest online shops. For many corporations these days, coping with e-commerce is a lot like coming to terms with death.
Executives are past the stages of denial and anger, and have moved beyond the bargaining stage.
With the exception of computer electronics and airline tickets, high-price goods have not been fast to catch on among Web shoppers. Divining the Nature of Business With the emergence of the Internet economy has come new attention to the work of Ronald Coase, who sought to explain how businesses exist in an environment of constant change. As Web sites seek an attractive mix of content, a new type of business known as online content syndicators is providing the right stuff. Aside from figuring out how to make a profit, one of the more imposing tasks for Internet companies has been breaking through the wall of mistrust that separates them from millions of would-be shoppers who fret about online privacy. Revamp Strategy Many sports content sites are taking a new approach to selling goods online, placing the site's store in the hands of an outside company.