Hot stuff

Entrepreneur, Feb, 2004

E-commerce didn't die with the dotcom bust. It just got more realistic. Now "slow" and "steady" are the buzzwords entrepreneurs live by. Analysts are trying to figure out what online retail areas win be hot. Tech research firm Forrester Research Inc. sees growth in food and beverage sales, used sporting goods, home products like tools and hardware, flowers, and health and beauty products. Some growth is clue to the increasing ranks of Internet buyers who are venturing out from just buying books on Amazon.com.

Another encouraging sign is the growth of paid content online. The Online Publishers Association reports the first half of 2003 saw spending increase to $748 million, up 23 percent over the same period in 2002. Some of the biggest areas are personals and dating, business and investment, and entertainment and lifestyles. Entrepreneurs looking for opportunities in e-commerce should keep an eye on these trends.--A.C.K.