UniformMarket News

If there was one bright spot in 2009, it was the growth of e-commerce. Even as customers everywhere cut back spending, online sales posted steady gains. A report by the Department of Commerce for the 3rd quarter 2009 showed an increase in total adjusted U.S. online retail sales of $1.6 billion from the second quarter, to $34.0 billion.

Retailers, too, fared better than originally expected this past holiday season, fueled in part by a 15.5 percent surge in online purchases.

Now, the uniform industry is poised to capitalize on that growth with the arrival of UniformMarket's Vendor Alliance Program (VAP). Launched last December, VAP is the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way to drive traffic – and increase sales to online stores.

That's great news for manufacturers and retailers, given that double-digit e-commerce growth is expected to continue, experts say. Online sales are forecasted to grow approximately 14% annually through 2012, according to a recent report by Forrester Research, an independent technology and market research company. If accurate, online sales are expected to grow about $20 billion to $30 billion each year, reaching $335 billion annually in just two years.  

What's driving the growth? Changing shopping preferences and time constraints, say the experts. The vast majority of consumers – 88% -- say they have bought something online in the past and plan to do so in the future. From the customer's perspective e-commerce offers convenience, variety, cost savings, and anonymity – you can shop in your pajamas and no one would notice.

From the store owner or manufacturer's perspective, e-commerce provides a way to instantly satisfy demand for products, services, and information of each customer individually. The ultimate customer-centric tool, e-commerce shifts the power from the seller to the consumer, building relationships – and sales – along the way.

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