Cyber shopping feels real world impact
Online stores have thrived thanks to the advantages of the Web, but this season they're expected to feel the effects of the economic downturn. Danielle Karson reports where e-commerce might still have a slight edge.
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Scott Jagow: The National Retail Federation says more people went shopping this Thanksgiving weekend than last year. And the average person spent more money. I don't blame you if you're skeptical. In one survey, 38 percent of people said they spent less than last year.
The Retail Federation calls today Cyber Monday. But skepticism of that is probably healthy, too. Danielle Karson explains.
Danielle Karson: Last year, holiday shoppers spent nearly $40 billion online -- an 18 percent jump over 2006. But like their shopping mall counterparts, retailers in cyberspace are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn this year.
Ellen Davis: The Internet is mainstream enough that when something happens that impacts the overall retail sales sector, Web sales are affected as well.
Ellen Davis is with the National Retail Federation. She says online retail spending for November and December is expected to stay flat for the first time since shopping on the Web began. Still, she says e-commerce has a slight edge:
Davis: Many people choose to shop online because it's easier to find good deals and bargains. So the online sector is a little more immune than traditional retailers when it comes to an economic downturn.
More than 80 percent of retailers are expected to have promotions posted online today.
I'm Danielle Karson for Marketplace.
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