What is hot on retail websites?

What is hot on retail web sites? According to the 9th Annual Mystery Shopping Study by the E-Tailing Group: rich media, coupons and themed merchandising areas.

The study found that 89 percent of retailers offer Internet-only promotions, a decrease from 91 percent in 2005. However, 32 percent offer rebates, up from 20 percent; 20 percent offer coupons, up from 5 percent in 2005. Over 25 percent of retail web sites in the study allowed customers to preorder products, compared to 16 percent in 2005. Returning products purchased online to stores increased to 81 percent, up from 72 percent.

During the fourth quarter of 2006:

• Streaming video was found on 38 percent of sites, up from 20 percent in 2005
• Color change, 46 percent, up from 34 percent in 2005
• Alternate views, 57 percent, up from 45 percent in 2005
• Themed collections of merchandise, 59 percent of sites, up from 28 percent in 2005
• Dedicated space for clearance items appeared on 73 percent of sites, up from 51 percent.

Landing-page sorting options, a new measurement, appeared on 78 percent of sites. These sorting options include:

• Price from low to high (88 percent)
• Price from high to low (76 percent)
• Best seller or top seller (54 percent)
• Brand (45 percent)
• New arrivals (37 percent)
• Product name (27 percent)
• Best match (27 percent)
• Category (15 percent)
• Ratings (14 percent)
• Color (14 percent)
• Sales and specials (12 percent)

via Internet Retailer

Tags: Internet Retailer, online shopping, retail websites