2005 Press
JUPITERRESEARCH FORECASTS 2005 ONLINE HOLIDAY SALES WILL REACH $26 BILLION IN THE U.S.
(New York, NY - November 1, 2005) - JupiterResearch, a division of Jupitermedia Corporation (Nasdaq: JUPM), forecasts that 2005 online holiday sales will reach $26 billion in the United States, an 18% increase over 2004. In the report entitled: "Holiday 2005 Forecast: Addressing The Impact of Macro-Economic Factors on Holiday Online Retail Sales," JupiterResearch details its findings which also indicate that online retailers will experience reduced margins. Retailers will be plagued by higher fuel surcharges on order shipments while feeling compelled to offer free shipping in order to capture sales equal to last year and stem attrition to competitors who are offering free shipping."Channel adoption is driving the projected increase in online retail sales during the upcoming holiday season and macroeconomics are driving the reduced margins for the retailers," said Patti Freeman Evans, Analyst at JupiterResearch. "While the expected sales increase for retailers is significant, consumers are feeling pinched by expensive energy prices. They will respond to free shipping offers, but, these offers will not be enough to encourage them to spend more than last year," added Evans.
JupiterResearch found that 56% of consumers who intend to purchase online this holiday season do say free shipping is more important this year because of high fuel and gas prices. However, there is no indication that customers who plan to buy online this holiday season will be any more motivated to increase their spending by free shipping offers. One piece of good news from the JupiterResearch report is that retailers may be able to capture incremental sales by targeting males that have been purchasing online for less than a year with "avoid the malls", "save gas" and convenience messaging.
"While the Internet continues its maturation as an online shopping channel, external macroeconomic events may have a greater impact on sales growth, potentially even more significantly at the critical holiday season," said David Schatsky, Senior Vice President of Research at JupiterResearch. "For all of 2005, U.S. online retail sales are on target to reach $79 billion versus $66 billion in 2004," added Schatsky.
JupiterResearch's report contains detailed information to benefit online retailers. The report provides recommendations on reaching new online shoppers, the macroeconomic effects on online retailing and consumer attitudes toward free shipping and deferred payment plans.
The complete findings of this report are immediately available to JupiterResearch clients online at www.jupiterresearch.com. For additional information on the report or JupiterResearch's Retail service offerings visit www.jupiterresearch.com or contact Kieran Kelly, Vice President of Global Sales and Client Service, at 1-800-481-1212 or [email protected].
About Jupitermedia Corporation
Jupitermedia Corporation (Nasdaq: JUPM), (www.jupitermedia.com)
headquartered in Darien, CT, is a leading global provider of original information, images and research for information technology, business and creative professionals. Jupitermedia includes JupiterImages, one of the leading images companies in the world with over 7.0 million images online serving creative professionals with brands like BananaStock, Brand X, FoodPix, Botanica, Nonstock, Comstock Images, Creatas Images, PictureQuest, Liquid Library, Thinkstock Images, Thinkstock Footage, Goodshoot, Photos.com, Ablestock.com, PhotoObjects.net, Clipart.com and Animations.com; and JupiterWeb, the online media division of Jupitermedia which operates four distinct online networks: internet.com and EarthWeb.com for IT and business professionals; DevX.com for developers; and Graphics.com for creative professionals. JupiterWeb properties include more than 150 Web sites and over 150 e-mail newsletters that are viewed by over 18 million users and generate over 300 million page views monthly. Jupitermedia also includes: JupiterResearch, a leading international research advisory organization specializing in business and technology market research in 18 business areas and 14 vertical markets.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties address a variety of subjects including, for example, the competitive environment in which Jupitermedia competes; the unpredictability of Jupitermedia's future revenues, expenses, cash flows and stock price; Jupitermedia's ability to integrate acquired businesses, products and personnel into its existing businesses; Jupitermedia's dependence on a limited number of advertisers; and Jupitermedia's ability to protect its intellectual property. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and uncertainties, refer to Jupitermedia's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date of this press release, and Jupitermedia assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements after the date hereof.
For information on this report and JupiterResearch contact:
Vic Beck or Peter Arnold
781-239-1030
[email protected]
For information on Jupitermedia Corporation contact:
Lisa DiGiacomo
Marketing and Public Relations Associate
212-547-7938
[email protected]
All current Jupiter Research press releases can be found online at www.jupitermedia.com/corporate/press.html.
