Shopping for the holidays brings out the joy of giving. But with everybody out to shop on the High Street, it also means crowds, traffic, lack of parking space, and exorbitant prices. And so, most shoppers in Britain have decided to shop online this year instead. With soaring petrol prices and parking prices, studies show parking rates amounting up to a staggering $115,480,000, and a 15 percent hike in petrol prices is likely to amount to a further $13,198,290. Online sales are touted to be around 8 percent of total retail sales this year. According to card giant Visa, around 2.4 million online sales will be registered on Monday, especially during lunch time and around seven in the evening, making record sales of around $660,402,600.
According to Play.com this and the next Monday seems to be the best choice for most buyers as they can be certain that the gifts can be delivered in good time. Books, clothing CDs, DVDs, toys, computer games, and consoles will be preferred this year. Not all people intend to shop online. 60 percent of surfers would be online to research products before buying, and around 50 percent would compare prices online.
A Visa survey has concluded that 78 percent intend to shop online, 73 percent find online shopping economical, and 54 percent feel faster. Visa Europe has also predicted over 17 million transactions worth over $1,421,125,850 on the 23rd of December this year alone.
DVDs of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Star Trek, New Moon by Stephanie Meyer, Call of Duty- World of Warfare, the Michael McIntyre live DVD, and Susan Boyle’s first album I Dreamed A Dream is touted to top the best sellers list.
[Dailymail]
