E-retailers ‘ready for Xmas’

Having made it through the postal strikes and having been resilient during the economic downturn, e-retailers are set for the Christmas rush.

This is according to IMRG (Interactive Media In Retail Group), which has suggested that Christmas will come early for internet retailers this Christmas, as shoppers concerned about further strike action will head online to make purchases earlier than usual.

According to David J Smith, director of operations at IMRG, many retailers that switched to alternative carriers during the postal strike have not actually switched back.

This means that online traders would be ready for the festive period even if the threat of strike action were to resurface, he said.

A recent survey by eDigitalResearch and IMRG revealed that 93 per cent of people are planning to go on the internet to make Christmas purchases this year.

Almost three-quarters (71 per cent) said they would be prepared to do half or even more of their shopping online this Christmas.

Written by Alan Gorzanski.