With higher utility and mortgage bills rises hitting people in their pocket the fact that Next reported that its high street sales were down 6.9% came as no surprise but the fact that the Directory and online business rose conversely by 9.3% for the same period did raise a few eyebrows.
Why online shopping sales should rise whilst offline should fall appears a bit of a mystery except one possible explanation might be online shoppers are more easily hooked by the e-convenience than “offliners” who might more easily browse but not buy.
Whatever the psychological or e-commerce reasons-less online competition for Next from its competitors perhaps-for some the internet does offer real opportunities to make sales that it might not otherwise make though this does depend on the nature of the business concerned.
For more please see here- www.timesonline.co.uk.
