Goldman Sachs, Harris Interactive and NetRatings Launch the 2001 Holiday eSpending Report, Tracking Online Shopping and Buying Attitudes

Business Wire, Nov 5, 2001

Business Editors/Internet Writers

NEW YORK and ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2001

First Findings Reveal Brand Recognition is Strong Driver in

Online Shopping and Spending

Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking and securities firm, Harris Interactive(SM) (Nasdaq:HPOL), a worldwide market research and consulting firm, and NetRatings, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRT), the fastest growing Internet audience measurement and analysis firm, today announced a partnership to deliver the 2001 holiday eSpending Report, which tracks weekly online shopping and buying attitudes. Findings from the new study revealed that 63 percent of shoppers surveyed in the past week relied on brand awareness as the leading factor in purchasing online.

The eSpending Report by Goldman Sachs, Harris Interactive and Nielsen//NetRatings is based upon a weekly national survey of 500 online shoppers randomly chosen from Harris Interactive's multimillion-member panel of Internet users. The survey tracks online shopping activity and spending by market segment, as well as consumer attitudes and motivations that drive online shopping.

"As we begin the critical holiday season, the eSpending report will deliver timely market data on ecommerce spending," said Anthony Noto, Internet, ecommerce and new media analyst, Goldman Sachs. "Through this joint effort, we will provide an in-depth analysis of online shopping trends."

"This report brings together the strengths and brand recognition of the three companies and will serve as the go-to resource for ecommerce buying trends and consumer attitudes," said Lori Iventosch-James, director of ecommerce research, Harris Interactive.

"As the holiday season approaches, indicators of the overall health of the ecommerce sector have been top-of-mind for the industry," added Sean Kaldor, vice president of analytical services, NetRatings. "Our partnership with Goldman Sachs and Harris Interactive in delivering the eSpending Report will fulfill the immediate need to track and analyze online shopping trends across 14 key ecommerce categories."

First Findings

Initial findings from the survey showed that 69 percent of Internet users have not begun shopping for the holidays, indicating that the official start of the ecommerce holiday season has yet to commence. Among respondents who have started their holiday shopping in the past week, 63 percent shopped at a site based on prior experience, while nearly a quarter said they shopped at a site based on its traditional retail store presence, which suggests brand awareness is a key factor in driving shopping habits. Twenty-eight percent of those surveyed shopped at a site they found through a portal or search engine. Only five percent said that the recent terrorist incidents would force them to shop more online.

"While the official start of the online holiday shopping season has yet to begin, early indicators point to a positive outlook for Web sites with established brand names and partnerships with offline stores," said Kaldor.

"Despite the events of September 11th and national security issues, very few consumers stated that they are more likely to shop online than visit a physical retail store," added Iventosch-James.

About eSpending Report

The eSpending Report by Goldman Sachs, Harris Interactive and Nielsen//NetRatings is based upon a weekly national survey of 500 online shoppers randomly chosen from Harris Interactive's multimillion-member panel of Internet users. The survey data is weighted to represent the online population and has an overall precision of /- 4.4 percent, which varies by question. The eSpending report offers weekly intelligence on online shopping and spending by market segment and tracks consumer attitudes and motivations that drive online shopping.

About Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking and securities firm that provides a wide range of services worldwide to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1869, it is one of the oldest and largest investment banking firms. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong and other major financial centers around the world.

About Harris Interactive(SM)

Harris Interactive (Nasdaq:HPOL) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm, best known for The Harris Poll(R) and its pioneering use of the Internet to conduct scientifically accurate market research via its multimillion member online panel. The company has more than 45 years of experience in supplying clients with actionable knowledge across multiple markets. Through its U.S. and Global Network offices, the company conducts international research in multiple, localized languages. For more information about Harris Interactive, visit www.harrisinteractive.com. EOE M/F/D/V

About NetRatings, Inc.

NetRatings, Inc. (www.netratings.com) is a leading provider of Internet audience measurement information and analysis. Its technology driven products and services enable customers to make informed business-critical decisions regarding their Internet media and commerce strategies. NetRatings has strategic relationships with both Nielsen Media Research, the leading source of television audience measurement and related services in the U.S. and Canada, and ACNielsen, a leading provider of market research information and analysis to the consumer products and services industries. Worldwide, NetRatings services measure the Internet experiences of more than 225,000 Internet users in 29 countries.