The Briefing Room

General Category => Economy/Business => Topic started by: 240B on January 02, 2013, 10:23:16 pm

Title: Online Sales May Decide If It Was a Naughty or Nice Holiday
Post by: 240B on January 02, 2013, 10:23:16 pm
Published: Wednesday, 2 Jan 2013 | 2:30 PM ET  By: Courtney Reagan
CNBC General Assignment Reporter

Though the official data has yet to be released, many analysts think the holiday shopping season saw more stingy Santas this year. The question is—did online sales help retailers boost otherwise lackluster brick and mortar sales?

"For holiday '12 sales—the greatest beneficiaries from online in our view would be Macy's and Nordstrom," said JPMorgan retail analyst Matthew Boss.

"These are the two companies who have invested substantially more than their peers and are ahead of the game given multi-channel integration."
Boss expects Macy's online sales to have contributed more significantly in the fourth quarter than the previous two quarters. The holiday quarter was the first to have 290 stores up and running with "Door to Store" capability, allowing greater online assortment without the associate inventory risks.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100349462