JupiterResearch Finds That Few US Online Retailers Are Truly Global Despite Rising Interest in Global Expansion

Business Wire, May 27, 2008

NEW YORK -- JupiterResearch, a leading authority on the impact of the Internet and emerging consumer technologies on business, has found that despite mounting interest in global expansion from US online retailers, very few currently have global presences. A new report published by JupiterResearch, "Global Online Retail: Navigating Successful International Expansion," indicates that the majority of top US retailers do not have a substantial international online presence.

According to the report, low dollar values, a slowdown in the US economy, and a rapidly shifting global Internet population have all prompted online retailers to consider international markets as key to their growth strategies, yet most remain cautious about global expansion.

"At no time during the past few years has interest in international online commerce been higher," explained Zia Daniell Wigder, Web Globalization Analyst and lead author of the report for JupiterResearch. "US online retailers that have no global strategy risk missing out on the biggest areas of online growth during the next five years."

Complex regulations, logistical hurdles, as well as consumers' differing behavior and expectations in international markets are just a few of the factors that have given pause to online retailers looking to expand internationally. Additionally, retailers' reluctance to cede any control to local managers has prevented retailers from successfully capitalizing on the unique dynamics of international markets.

"Today, over 60 percent of companies with global transactional Web sites rely on a central globalization team to manage those sites," said David Schatsky, President of JupiterResearch. "A centralized staffing structure will only work if sites are developed and optimized through regular contact with local offices."

The complete findings of this report are immediately available to JupiterResearch clients online at www.jupiterresearch.com. For details on JupiterResearch's methodology, visit www.jupiterresearch.com/bin/item.pl/methodology or email press@jupiterresearch.com to request a detailed methodology statement. For additional information on this report or JupiterResearch's Web Globalization research service, visit www.jupiterresearch.com or contact Kieran Kelly, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Client Service, at 1-800-481-1212 or researchsales@jupiterresearch.com.

Analyst Blog: Zia Daniell Wigder, Web Globalization Analyst

Related Reports: Staffing for Globalization, US Online Retail Forecast, 2007 to 2012, Web Site Localization: Best Practices in Global Expansion

About JupiterResearch

JupiterResearch provides unbiased research, analysis and advice, backed by proprietary data, to help companies profit from the impact of the Internet and emerging consumer technologies on their business. The company helps online businesses make critical decisions about technology selection, spending, staffing, and Web site effectiveness; advises consumer-facing companies with online advertising, marketing, and customer service strategies to understand, attract, convert and retain customers; and guides technology vendors and service providers on market opportunity, positioning, product definition, and pricing. JupiterResearch is headquartered in New York City and has offices throughout the US and Europe. For more information, visit www.jupiterresearch.com.