Stake your claim on the World Wide Web now. Your business depends on it.
A few short years ago the power of the Internet was unimaginable. Now it penetrates every corner of our economy. It is the quintessential selling arena for any type of merchandise or service. It makes the process of buying and selling to your market easier, less expensive, more effective, and more profitable. Most are now familiar with the process, but few understand its potential for sweeping change.
Consider the facts about these companies rebuilding their business models:
78% of small businesses now use the Internet regularly, spending more than $43 billion in online purchases in 2006, Jupiter Research says in a recent report. “Business-to-business transactions are also contributing mightily to Internet growth.
Federated Department Stores Inc. reports that it will spend $100 million this year and next to support growth in its direct-to-consumer businesses, including Macys.com, Bloomingdales.com, Bloomingdale`s By Mail, MacysWeddingChannel.com and BloomingdalesWeddingChannel.com. The amount is part of Federated`s capital spending plans of $1.2 billion in 2007 and $1.1 billion in 2008.
“Our online sales continue to grow at a rapid pace as the national expansion of Macy`s and Bloomingdale`s attracts new customers to our stores, web sites and catalog," says Terry J. Lundgren, Federated`s chairman, president and CEO. CNN.com
The 2006 fiscal year was a tough one for Circuit City Stores Inc. capped by the announcement that the chain retailer will lay off as many as 3,500 higher paid associates. But the web is a bright spot--Circuit City says web sales in fiscal 2006 reached $1 billion and it expects e-commerce to grow by 35% in the same year. Circuit City.com
The web is now the main direct sales channel for Foot Locker Inc. In 2006, the retailer posted web sales of $270 million, an increase of 11.1% from web sales of $243 million in 2005. Footlocker.com
Perfume.com’s parent Communicate.com Inc. reported record e-commerce revenue of $7.4 million for the year ending Dec. 31, 2006, an increase of 55% from the prior year. Perfume.com
Ecommerce is the new way business is being done. Those who have embraced the technology are finding new rivers of income, less stress, and a bright future. Those that haven’t are struggling to survive.
The tools are there. Pick them up and use them. Your future depends on it.
