Fifteen percent of all holiday shoppers will make purchases online, a 3 percent increase over 1999, and a fivefold increase since 1995 when only 3 percent of consumers said they plan to purchase gifts online. Online spending will also claim a significant share of some shoppers' wallets. Online shoppers are also demonstrating varying shopping styles. For example, men shopping online are more likely to begin at a Web search engine, while women shopping online are more likely to start at brand-owned Web retailers. Eighty percent of adults will shop for them, up from 77 percent last year, and 72 percent in 1998.
Men are also bigger spenders.
The surge on stores will begin in earnest this month, but many people have already started their shopping. The 2000 American Express Retail Index on holiday shopping looked at consumer spending, buying attitudes, shopping trends and preferences. American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company founded in 1850. It is a world leader in charge and credit cards , Travelers Cheques, travel , financial planning , business services , insurance and international banking. All Rights Reserved.