Fastest Growing Online Product Categories

Consumers the world over are continuing to make the jump from crowded stores to the one-click convenience of online shopping. A recent worldwide survey conducted by The Nielsen Company through February 2008, indicated that over 85 percent of the world’s online population has used the Internet to make a purchase! This number is up 40 percent from just two years ago, which indicates the steady transition from Main Street to the super highway. As the Internet becomes more secure and the consumer finds value in online shopping, the number of consumers turning to the Internet will continue to increase. Currently, indicators show that more than half of all Internet users are regular online shoppers and make online purchases at least once a month.

 

Books are still a popular pick, but clothing and shoes are hot on their heels

 

Consumers continue to buy more books online than any other product, due to the early adoption of online selling by the large booksellers. However, continued the diversification of the shopping environment online has resulted in significant growth of other product categories. Even though books are still the most popular purchases online, clothing, accessories and shoes are quickly gaining ground. Video DVDs, games, airline tickets and electronic equipment are gaining popularity online also. Other categories of note are cosmetics, nutrition supplies and groceries with recent sales jumping over eight percent online.

 

Even with the popularity of book purchasing online, their growth in this area has increased only seven percent in the past two years. Fashionistas are on the rise however.  Clothing, accessories and shoes have experienced the highest increase by far over the past two-years – ranging from 20 percent to 36 percent.

 

Shopping online with the ease of a credit card nowadays is especially appealing among consumers. In emerging markets the consumer will turn to online research to locate the items they simply cannot find or buy in the brick and mortar retail trade. The Internet has opened up a whole new world of shopping for consumers. Those online marketers who can identify a need and position their business in the niche will do well to capture a good share of the consumer base than the storefront can achieve.

 

Trust and Word of Mouth are the biggest influencers in online retail choice

 

Consumers are more likely to stick with what they know when it comes to shopping online. According to Nielsen, 60 percent of online shoppers prefer to buy from the same site when buying like type items. This proves that online shoppers are uniquely loyal. Whether this because they’re still wary of the online experience, are not lured in by the current marketing strategies, or are simply satisfied when their purchase is simple and successful — we’ll need to look at other indicators as they get more sophisticated. The significance of this loyalty stat is that it illustrates the importance of capturing the consumers as they make their first purchases on the Internet. If you can capture them early, and create a positive shopping experience, they will likely return with their loyalty and their money.

 In selecting sites on which to shop, one-third used a search engine to find the best destination. One fourth relied on the word of mouth from other consumers. Recommendations, whether from people they know or from other online shoppers, play a huge role in consumer decisions on which site to visit.

 

Because of this significance of these statistics, it should be high priority for you to create a professional and easy to navigate website. First impressions do matter online and you need to hit them with your best shot when they visit your site or you may not capture their loyalty. Worse yet, you might be the subject of negative word of mouth. So plan your business strategy well and come up with a winning site design. Focus on areas of growth, but find niches that are underserved there… concentrating on how to better serve the consumer than your competition.

 

Yours for Bigger Profits