British online retailers are optimistic in terms of their growth expectations for the fourthquarter of 2014, with nearly half of them expecting growth rates of more than 20% year-on-year in
the run up to Christmas, according to the latest research by the UK e-commerce associationIMRG.The IMRG e-Retail Survey of senior e-commerce professionals revealed that 45% of them expecttheir growth to exceed 20% during this last quarter of the year, compared to only 30% of thee-retailers surveyed during the final quarter of last year.
What is also encouraging, according to the association, is that 85% of the respondents estimatetheir e-commerce growth will surpass 10% over the Christmas period, up from 80% during the sameperiod last year. However, the confidence levels were higher among the ‘pureplay’ online retailers,with 92% of those expecting annual growth above 10%, compared to just over three-quarters (77%) ofbricks and mortar retailers.
In terms of delivery, three-quarters of bricks and mortar retailers plan to offer theircustomers alternative delivery options over the Christmas period, while only 2 in 5 of theonline-only merchants stated they will do the same. Alternative delivery options offered in therun-up to Christmas include Click / Reserve & Collect, Sunday and Shutl deliveries. As formultichannel retailers, 20% of them intend to offer in-store ordering during the holidayperiod.
For most retailers, 19th December is likely to be the ‘last order’ date for standard deliveriesbefore Christmas while 22nd December was named as the average last date for premium deliveries.However, 22% of the retailers are even prepared to offer premium deliveries as late as 23rdDecember for shipments to arrive in time for the Christmas Day.
Tina Spooner, Chief Information Officer at IMRG, commented: “The online retail industry isgearing up for another record-breaking Christmas, with the estimated spend in December alone set toreach in excess of £12bn. This year, convenience will be key in attracting the lucrative Christmasshoppers and retailers that offer a range of delivery options are likely to be the winners duringthe festive period.”
“Our latest research indicates e-retailers are more confident in their growth predictions duringthe fourth quarter, and with smartphones and tablets set to account for around 40% of onlinefestive sales this year, it looks set to be another mobile Christmas,” she added.
The IMRG e-Retail Survey questioned over 50 senior e-commerce professionals (CEOs, ManagingDirectors and Marketing Directors) regarding their expectations and forecasts over the festivetrading period and Q4 2014 in October 2014.
