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December 19, 2005
PJ Shopping
MSNBC is reporting that Malls full, but sales not spectacular
Retailers remained anxious Sunday, after the last full weekend of shopping before Christmas appeared robust but not spectacular, despite generous bargains for many goods.
They didn't bother to profile the online shopping for this article, but I can't help but think it has an impact. We have been steadily increasing our online shopping for the holidays for years. This year, I'd estimate that 80% or better of our shopping was through Amazon.com. A little early planning, a couple of hours spent with a mouse and computer screen and we were just about done. We have only one gift left to buy, but that will be easy enough.
As for time spent at the mall, I think we've been in a traditional mall twice the entire season. I think we picked up two gifts that way. A couple of others have come from Walgreen's or Best Buy.
Lastly, on money. I think we spent a bit less this year than last, but that's because one of our main groups went from the traditional one gift per person to the "White Elephant" gift party. Discounting that, we spent about the same as usual.
If malls expect to compete, they will have to find a way to make it easier - maybe a mall portal like Amazon where you find what's available at the local stores. Otherwise, the premium people are placing on time makes a huge difference when shopping in malls vs. online.
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