Study: Online Shoppers Continue to Seek Bargains

San Francisco–Online shoppers are less likely to shop online again in the second half of 2001, according to a recent study by market research firm Odyssey. Random-sample surveys of 3,000 consumers nationwide found that among those who’d bought personal items online in the first half of 2001, only 54% planned to purchase online again in the third and fourth quarters, down from 71% a year ago. What’s more, the proportion of online shoppers who bought something online during the past six months dropped from 95% a year ago to 82%.

Still, the study finds that 65% of online shoppers feel that purchasing online saves them money. And 51% said they are more likely to pursue bargains in the current economy, with 46% saying that products on sale are the only items they are likely to buy.