While e-commerce sales have slowed significantly compared with last year, many Denver-area stores remain optimistic that online holiday sales will be a bright spot in what many expect to be a generally dismal retail season.
Online sales represent about 30 percent of Glo Skincare’s business. The Cherry Creek store has seen a slight decline in bookings for its services, which include facials and massages. But product sales, including those made online, are up over last year, said Sarah Hayden, who handles the store’s mail-order business.
“I don’t think anyone has stopped buying their makeup and eye creams,” Hayden said.
Online retail spending fell 4 percent during the first 23 days of November from the same period last year, according to market research firm ComScore Inc. U.S. online sales were $8.2 billion, compared with $8.5 billion last year.
At Title 9 women’s sportswear store in Cherry Creek, online business remains lively, said store manager Holly Parrott.
“We’ve been really steady for the last week, and online and catalog sales have been crazy,” Parrott said. “People want to stay active in times of stress.”
Many of the customers who visit the Cherry Creek store are tourists who otherwise shop for Title 9 merchandise online or in catalogs, she said.
“We have a dedicated following.”
Online retailers plan to offer more deals and promotions to spur holiday shopping today, which has been dubbed Cyber Monday by the retail industry. Nearly 84 percent of retailers will have special promotions, up from 72 percent a year ago, according to a survey by Shop , a division of the National Retail Federation.
While today is popular for online browsing, it doesn’t necessarily top the list as the busiest online shopping day of the year. That honor often goes to a day later in December.
Kelli Jackson said she shopped online at The Limited, Barnes & Noble and Gymboree on Thanksgiving Day before showing up early for the Sports Authority door-buster sale Friday.
“If it’s free shipping, I’m buying it online,” said the Centennial resident, who estimated that she would do nearly half of her Christmas shopping online.
Kristen Luongo, assistant manager of Dog Savvy on Larimer Square, said online sales have been decent, while sales at the store have declined slightly from last year.
“We’re trying to revamp the website,” she said.
Margaret Jackson: 303-954-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com
Online shopping statistics
4%:
Amount online retail spending fell
during the first 23 days of November
84%:
Number of online retailers who plan to offer
deals or promotions on Cyber Monday today
72%:
Number of online retailers who offered
special deals on Cyber Monday last year
