Over the years, we bought more and more from catalogues to avoid the stress and chaos found during the holiday rush.
Now consumers have shifted to online buying. Black Friday sales were overshadowed by Cyber Monday this year. It’s no surprise as mothers and their screaming children use strollers that might as well have Spartacus spokes on the wheels, as they charge through the aisles of malls.
On the other hand, after a few clicks of the mouse practically all your shopping can be done.
How do Saratoga Springs residents and privately owned businesses handle this shift in consumer technology? After some research, I have discovered that only a hand full of the local businesses have Web sites where online shopping is possible for the holidays. After asking some locals about their spending trends, I have discovered that many people have switched from catalogue ordering to online shopping due to the fact that it is fast and convenient. Items can be bought in the house, office or dorm room; yet, despite this fact, the majority of holiday shopping is still done in the actual stores.
Celtic Treasures on 456 Broadway, is celebrating their 15th year in business and their Web site has existed for 11 years. Owner Paul O’Donnell is very excited about the added business from online shopping. Celtic Treasures did a print catalogue previously, but unlike their Web site - www.celtictreasures.net. - they could not make changes by the minute. O’Donnell and his manager are in charge of editing the site where buyers can purchase from an array of the North Atlantic’s largest selection of Irish gifts.
Impressions of Saratoga located at 368 Broadway successfully sells their Saratoga memorabilia merchandise online as well. Their online catalogue, which started about seven years ago, is not the “lion share” of their business but rather a supplement and a way for them to keep in touch with their customers, especially those out of town. Impressions of Saratoga maintains a steady business online, especially during the holiday and racing seasons. Their Web site is www.impressionsofsaratoga.com.
Aside from retail stores, Putnam Market and The Candy Company provide online services. Putnam’s site has existed for five or six years and has been very successful. Consumers can buy gift baskets online, and starting next year, in addition to a new more user friendly website, catering and grocery delivery will be available to order online for Saratoga Springs residents.
Putnam receives orders from numerous places and the owners have put a lot of time and money into their Web site, especially since they see it as the future of consumerism. Their website is www.putnammarket.com.
The Candy Company on Washington Street sells various gift baskets, boxes of chocolates and other treats through their website that has existed since 1999. The owner said that only about 5 percent of business is done through their site, www.saratogacandy.com and serves more as a source of information for customers.
These are just a few local examples, yet I wonder if online shopping will become the popular trend in Saratoga as more stores have online shopping? I believe that stores will continue to maintain a strong flow of customers in their stores because of the holiday ambiance it provides: the music, the decorations and the personal customer service that does not exist on the Internet.
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