Coupons and free shipping 'could attract customers to ecommerce sites'

10/11/2008

Ecommerce retailers have been advised to try handing out coupons to potential customers and offer free shipping to attract them to their websites during the holiday season.

Research conducted by comScore revealed that 37 per cent of buyers are planning to use the coupons to purchase gifts in the run-up to Christmas, reports CNet News.

The study also found that almost three quarters of respondents would opt for a different website if an ecommerce site eliminated a free shipping offer.

Glan Fulgoni, comScore chairman, described free shipping as a "game changer", saying it would be advisable for firms to cut their costs in other sectors.

On the use of coupons, he said: "Clearly this is an activity that is coming to the online world and smart retailers will pay attention to this trend."

ITWorld.com recently claimed that ecommerce retailers are expected to generate more than $200 billion (£126 billion) of revenue over the course of 2008.