Experts predict brisk ‘Cyber Monday’ sales; ShoeGalz.com launches online store
www.shoegalz.com
U.S. retail e-commerce spending for the first 25 days of the 2011 holiday season that got its start Nov. 1 has reached $12.7 billion, marking a 15 percent increase versus the same period last year, according to comScore, a leader in measuring the digital world, dijo Sunday.
Of that total, $816 million were online sales generated during Black Friday, making it the heaviest online spending day to date in 2011 and representing a 26 percent increase versus Black Friday 2010, the Reston, VA firm said.
Despite some analysts’ predictions that the flurry of brick-and-mortar retailers opening their doors early for Black Friday would pull dollars from online retail, we still saw a banner day for e-commerce with more than $800 million in spending,” said comScore Chairman Gian Fulgoni. “With brick-and-mortar retail also reporting strong gains on Black Friday, it’s clear that the heavy promotional activity had a positive impact on both channels.”
“We now turn our attention to Cyber Monday, a day that Shop.org says will see eight-in-ten retailers running special online promotions,” Fulgoni said. “Last year, Cyber Monday was the heaviest day of online spending ever, with sales exceeding $1 Billion, and we fully expect to see another record set this year.”
ShoeGalz.com open for business
That said, both stateside and local online retailers alike are bracing for brisk online sales. That sector includes a concept by three local entrepreneurs who together launched ShoeGalz.com, an online women’s footwear store that runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Shopping is one of the activities that Puerto Rican women like the most,” said Melissa Leclerc, president of ShoeGalz.com, who along with partners Damaris Orta and Joan Chamorro run the site that offers a wide variety of shoes, from sparkly flats to mile-high platforms.
The ShoeGalz.com executives are targeting working moms as well as busy female executives who have limited time to hit the so-called “brick and mortar” stores.
“With all of the responsibilities and demand on their time, these women sometimes cannot find the time to buy something for themselves. So we thought about combining the love we have for shopping and shoes with the interest of helping them avoid traffic jams and the fast-pace of life that don’t let us enjoy shopping as much as we would like,” Leclerc said.
A quick look through the website reveals that shoes in stock are sold at reasonable prices and there is free shipping anywhere in Puerto Rico on orders of more than $75.
“We have highly affordable prices and offer a convenient return policy. If the shoe you buy is not to your satisfaction, you can return it at no cost,” the online entrepreneur said. “And if you need more assurance that you’re ordering the right size, ShoeGalz.com has a size chart so you can measure your foot at home and know exactly what size you should order.”
ShoeGalz.com is also on Facebook and Twitter, to offer customers information on the latest styles, fashion tips, shoe care advice, sales and limited-time offers.
