Is the online industry set to grab more business in the future?
Many experts in the field of online business believe that the sudden and marked switch from off-line to online operations prior to Christmas last year was a major turning point in the industry. The increase in online activity seems to have followed through into the early part of 2009 although we will need to see this trend continue to confirm the apparent switch from the off-line retail sector to the online sector. So what will happen to the off-line business arena?
There are serious concerns that the online business market will be able to cut costs to be bone, to the detriment of off-line traders, but highly beneficial to consumers who trade online. In many industries there is no way that the off-line arena can compete with online price reductions, something which appeared to be very common on the UK high street in the run up to Christmas 2008.
Whether this sudden shift from off-line to online trading is the result of increased security, increased awareness or people chasing bargains and discounts, is unclear but it does appear that the sector has turned the corner. The impact upon the off-line retail sector could be substantial and see many of the weaker components drop out of the picture.
Share this..
Related stories
Adams falls into administration again
Children's wear chain Adams has been placed into administration after a difficult period in the company's history, putting more than 2000 jobs at risk. Restructuring experts MCR and Gerald Edelman have been appointed as joint administrators to the company's US parent JS Childrenswear. This is the third time the company has been placed into administration in as many years and a buyer is being sough...
Read MoreAre we approaching a crunch in worldwide oil supplies?
While for many people the subject of oil supply is something which will never cross their minds, more and more business leaders and economists are sounding the alarm bells about future oil supplies. There is a growing feeling that the worldwide supply of oil is in danger of falling below the level of demand. Indeed a doomsday forecast by a number of business leaders indicates that oil exploration...
Read MoreHas inflation peaked?
After hitting a recent high of just over 5% the central rate of inflation in UK looks set to fall markedly after reaching a 16 year high. This more than any other factor should allow the Bank of England to reduce interest rates later this week, something which many investment markets have already factored in to the situation. This is not a time for the bank to be overly cautious and there is a nee...
Read MoreDisappointing employment figures which will get worse
The UK government today confirmed that unemployment in the country has risen to 2.26 million with a significant number of young people now out of work. While these figures are the worst for 10 years the number is expected to rise even further with some suggesting over 3 million will be unemployed at the peak, a time expected to be around mid 2010. So what is going on?
We are seeing...
IMF suggests that the UK economy is weakest of the developed world
A recent IMF survey suggests that the UK economy is the weakest of the developed world and the UK recovery period will be long and hard. Like so many financial institutions of late, the IMF has centred upon the weak position of the public purse where debt has grown to £600 billion and is set to crash through the £1 trillion mark over the next three years. The Labour Party claims yesterday would...
Read More