Geoff's View - December 2007

19.12.2007

Geoff’s View
 
Internet Shopping – The Evidence
 
Are your business decisions strictly evidence based?
 
FSP has conducted interviews with thousands of UK shoppers in the last few months. Fewer than 10% are dedicated on-line shoppers; more than 40% have not used and do not plan to use the internet for any of their shopping.
 
Is a preference for internet shopping by such a small percentage sufficient to justify the belief of both David Jones, late of Next, and Luke Johnson, late of Pizza Express, that conventional retailing is destined for oblivion?
 
It may be impertinent to disagree with such eminent figures but the evidence is that the internet has not created a new paradigm. It is merely another, if substantial, route to market. 
 
For many, visiting the shops is a social activity as much as a means to acquire “stuff”. Shopping will no doubt continue to evolve but on current evidence, its survival is assured. 
 
No doubt when Christmas sales are reported, the major winner will again be the internet. SnapShop members will be able to follow the unfolding story on the SnapShop website (www.snap-shop.co.uk) where results will be posted as they are reported. It will make for interesting reading – don’t miss it!
 
In the meantime, all of us at FSP wish you and yours a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
 
With kind regards
 
 
 
 
Geoff

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A very useful way of keeping up to date with what's going on in retail.

Charles Denton
Property Director