xbiz world
xbiz premiere
opinion

Online Spending Records in Q4 2010

Good news was hard to come by in 2010, but as we shut it down and focus on 2011 industry leaders at eMarketer.com have published their predictions for Q4. According to the marketing giant, e-commerce spending is anticipated to grow 13.7% to as high as $51.4 billion in the fourth quarter, exceeding 2009 e-commerce sales that reached $45.2 billion. The experts believe that it will be a boost in online sales for the holiday season that will push the overall e-commerce totals for 2010 to $162.4 billion.

Despite a downturn economy, those figures are an increase of 12.7% from totals seen in 2009. Industry insiders are predicting that 2010 holiday sales will equate to as much as 23.7% of the year’s total online retail sales, making November and December even more important to the e-commerce marketer than ever before.

So what is the inspiration behind the predicted jump in online sales? Economic analysts believe that shoppers are looking for deals more this year than ever before, driving them to the Internet to look for low-prices, guarantees and offers of free shipping. Consumer confidence in online retail sales is at an all-time high, with today’s smart shopper well-aware of all the bargains that can be found on the Internet from specialty shops and other retailers that may not be available to them locally.

Another factor that is influencing the jump is concerns about crowded shopping malls and this year’s predictions about an unusually bad flu season, as well as other crowd concerns. Coupon websites and special holiday-only bargains will be very popular, so businesses would do well to keep an eye on their competitors to ensure that they are offering comparable deals within the market – and that reminds me – if you have not yet engaged in serious mail management efforts you need to focus on some serious campaigns throughout 2011.

Experts also believe that shoppers that do a majority of their holiday shopping online tend to be more affluent than the average store shopper, as seen in holiday sales results from large department stores such as Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. Another influence is the maturity of social networking marketing and mobile e-commerce, which allows customers to use their smartphones to find the best deals, read over customer reviews and find out-of-stock items at other stores. This was all confirmed during the 2010 Black Friday Frenzy this year.

Beyond online sales figures, the Internet is also expected to be a prominent influence for in-store sales as well. Penetration of popular retailers in social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter will help keep shoppers informed about special holiday events, sales and promotions, getting them to go to the stores in-person for the best deals.

Related Posts

Email Still Best Converting Sharing Method

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

opinion

Tips for Turning Content Into PR Impact for Sexual Wellness Brands

Public relations was never intended to generate immediate revenue. It is a strategic tool for building brand visibility. However, one of the most valuable services offered by full-service PR agencies is often underutilized: content creation.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

Key Strategies for Streamlining Payment Processing Approval

Why is it taking so long to get my account approved? It's frustrating for everyone involved, but it's all part of the process. Over the past year, timelines have stretched to 60 days or more for merchants to complete onboarding, from internal compliance review to banking partner approval and final card brand registration.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

How Female Shoppers Are Setting the Pace for Retail

Not long ago, walking into an adult store often felt like stepping into the shadows. Dim lighting, overwhelming product displays and a transactional experience made many of these spaces unwelcoming. For many women, these environments were not designed with comfort, curiosity or empowerment in mind.

Chelsea Mani ·
opinion

What to Know About Alabama's Regulatory Push on Adult Content

Over the past two years, Alabama has quietly but aggressively transformed itself into one of the most restrictive and unfriendly jurisdictions for the adult entertainment industry. Through the enactment of House Bill 164 and related enforcement mechanisms, the state has layered taxation, compliance burdens and content restrictions in a way that goes far beyond traditional regulation.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How AI Is Turning Adult Retailers Into Developers, No Degree Required

Every long relationship with software hits a point where you realize the tool isn’t exactly what you need. It does what the vendor assumes you need, often created by engineers who have never counted units in a stockroom or looked at countless stockouts and wondered which ones really matter.

Zondre Watson ·
opinion

Why Discretion Has Been the Defining Force in India's Sex Toy Market

One of Besharam’s earliest customers contacted us three times before placing an order. Not about the product, but about the packaging. “Will anyone know what’s inside?”

Raj Armani ·
profile

Joey Mills Harnesses Demon Twink Energy Into Industry Staying Power

On the surface, Joey Mills might seem like one of gay porn’s quentessential bad boys. He plays a snarky scamp seducing stepdads as a Men.com exclusive and leans into villainy on the Daddy TV reality show “X-Rated: NYC." And yet, despite being a highly recognizable face in the industry, he comes across as grounded, affable and self-aware in a way you might not expect

Christian Cintron ·
opinion

How to Pivot Platforms Without Disrupting Your Income

As a creator, you must inevitably navigate the constantly changing terms of service, regulations and financial systems of various platforms. Those platforms host your content at their own discretion, so deplatforming is always a possibility.

Sara Star ·
profile

Julie Stewart on Leading Sportsheets While Honoring Its Family Roots

When Sportsheets founder Tom Stewart retired at the start of 2020, he left the company in the capable hands of his sister, Julie Stewart. Since taking over as CEO, she has guided Sportsheets through an era of transformation, resilience and renewed purpose.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
opinion

Creator Tips for Making the Most of Adult Industry Expos

Showing up to industry expos is one of the smartest moves a creator can make. If it’s your first time going and the idea makes your stomach flip a little, don’t worry. Preshow jitters are perfectly normal. But if you’re serious about building real momentum, throw those doubts and worries out the window and pack your bags.

FrenchAva ·
Show More