Results of a survey by Forrester Research and Shop.org show an increase in online sales by US retailers’ of 11 percent on average in the first quarter of 2009.
58 percent of the 80 companies considered reported increased sales during the first quarter compared to their 2008 Q1 figures. An analyst at Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Forrester Research appeared to credit improving consumer confidence levels combined with perceived bargains generated by current price competition for sales.
The survey may indicate how major e-commerce retailers are coping with the times; following what many say was the most disappointing holiday retail results in over 40 years. The report stated those companies with online annual sales greater than $250 million were actually enjoying the best results, so all eyes will be watching Amazon.com.
58% of surveyed companies answered that their Q1 Web sales rose year-over-year for the first quarter, 44% reported a more than 10% increase, 14% posted a sales increase of up to 10% and 13% reported flat Web sales. It was further revealed that 29% of merchants actually experienced a drop in sales, including 18% of companies reporting that Q1 online revenue dropped by more than 10% compared to 2008 results. Average growth for merchants across all categories was 10.8%.
The survey was conducted on April first and second and was based on inquiries by Forrester and National Retail Federation trade group division Shop.org, to share their Q1 Web sales figures. The average online annual revenue of respondents was $116 million, and we hope the reporting of results like these signals an improvement in overall economic health in spite of daily doom and gloom reports on other indicators.
Also in the news this week, InternetRetailer.com is reporting that most retailers plan to stand firm or increase resources for online retail expansion this year.
In spite of the challenging economy, 70% of US retailers intend to invest the same or somewhat more in e-commerce in 2009 over 2008 figures because it is the fastest-growing area of their businesses – based on The E-tailing Group 8th Annual Merchant Survey.
Retailers are seeking to replace now elusive brick and mortar sales with increased online sales and indeed are looking outside North America as well. Feeling distinct performance pressure like never before from investors and market watchers, executives are scrambling to find profits while competition online becomes more fierce and savvy shoppers demand more and more from the experience.
Of the 190 retailers surveyed, 34% expect their 2009 versus 2008 Internet revenue to be down or flat. This is important because historical Web sales have consistently delivered year-over-year growth. 66% of merchants responded that growth should continue this year, with 39% of these merchants predicting their revenue will increase between 1% and 15%.
Retailers are increasingly turning to technology to improve their sales. 44% said they anticipate changing e-commerce platforms within three years; while 42% report they have no plans to make such a change. However, given current resource constraints and economic instability…We are all hit by the challenge of programming resources; a worldwide dilemma for everyone. So while an E-tailing Group executive concedes platform upgrades are on many wish lists, actual strides may be limited to refinement of navigation, site search and site tweaks! The dominant players coming out of this recession will be those who successfully infused their online customers’ shopping experience with relevant and profitable Web 2.0 solutions.
The E-tailing Group foresees minor site modifications will be the order of the day for the time being – and let’s see how that goes as consumers now expect every online experience to be as exciting as their favorite reality TV show or American Idol, and every bit as interactive.
Sources and Further Reading on Related Topics
Bloomberg.com
Forrester Research
Click here to mail me for sensible processing options to boost your bottom line and opportunities for branding and marketing exposure.
Click Here for Additional Help Starting or Improving Your Online Business
Online Sales Growth
Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.
More Articles
Vendo CEO Mitch Platt Reflects on 20 Years of Lessons and Evolution
More than 20 years ago, three entrepreneurs in Barcelona began gathering over beers to pitch, dissect and routinely destroy one another's business ideas. The ritual was simple: One person arrived with a concept, while the other two tried to expose every weakness. Any proposal that survived earned another look. Most did not.
Abby Rose on Camming, Connection and Creative Chaos
Abby Rose has mastered the art of viewing life through rose-colored glasses, finding the good in even the most challenging circumstances. With the bubbly charm of Elle Woods and the steely determination of G.I. Jane, she pairs a resilient spirit with a deep love for bringing people together.
How to Avoid the Hidden Risks of AI-Generated Legal Documents
Artificial intelligence can write a contract in seconds, but that does not mean it can write the contract your business actually needs. Across the adult industry, operators, creators and producers are increasingly using generative AI to prepare model releases, performer agreements, privacy policies, takedown notices, employment documents and responses to regulators. The appeal is obvious: Legal work is expensive, AI is fast and the resulting document often looks impressively professional. That polished appearance is exactly what makes the practice dangerous.
Anastasia's Bedroom Founder Chelsea Mani Bridges Ecommerce With Local Events
Chelsea Mani spends her weekends at local markets, where she displays an assortment of lingerie ranging from new lace bodysuits and silky robes to carefully sourced, cleaned and pressed vintage pieces. Passersby stop to examine the fabrics, ask questions and sometimes find themselves opening up unexpectedly.
Karla Lane Talks Curves, Confidence and Career Longevity
With her killer curves poured into a slinky silver dress, longtime performer Karla Lane swept onto the XMAs stage in Miami earlier this year to claim the trophy for BBW Premium Social Media Star. As she ascended the steps, presenter and fellow performer Vicki Chase purred, "Come on, big mama," in a playful nod to Latto's viral anthem.
How Rolling Reserves Affect Cash Flow and Merchant Stability
You log in to your payment processor’s dashboard, discover they are withholding 10% of your sales, and immediately assume something has gone wrong. In reality, everything is working exactly as intended.
Creator Tips for Turning AI Prompts Into Effective Promos
Creating great content is only half the job. Every photo set, clip, custom video, pay-per-view message, bundle and subscription offer still needs to be marketed, and finding fresh ways to promote the same material can become just as exhausting as creating it.
Protecting Your Reputation, Privacy and Peace as a Creator
As an adult creator, your online reputation can directly affect bookings, brand partnerships, fan relationships and future opportunities. A leaked post, a troll campaign, an out-of-context screenshot, or a hostile interaction can damage the brand you have built and disrupt your peace of mind. People say this business requires thick skin, but what you really need is steel with a Teflon coating: strong enough to take the hits and slick enough to keep the nonsense from sticking.
What Federal Age Verification Could Mean for Adult Websites
Our industry has grappled with a patchwork of confusing and burdensome state age verification laws for the past couple of years. But that landscape could change quickly after the House passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (H.R. 7757) by a vote of 267-117, marking a significant federal step into this space.
The Website Footer Requirements Every Adult Merchant Should Know
Since I started in this business 25 years ago, I've watched website footers evolve from a simple collection of links designed to help with SEO into important tools for meeting compliance and regulatory requirements, improving the customer experience and reducing chargebacks.
