Worry for retailers as web shopping clicks into the place.

(1)For traditional stores, online shopping has become a cause of concern in a difficult retail environment. The internet is accounting for more spending than ever. In addition it also makes it easier for consumers to compare prices across a far bigger selection of items than the trip to the high street.

(2)“The way the Internet encourages people to shop about is having a big impact on the market,” says Nick Gladding of Verdict research, a consultancy. Internet retailers have been able to offer cut-throat prices because they do not have to bear the cost of running a physical shop.

(3)Price-comparison website, such as Kelkoo, where a shopper can compare prices on any product from DVDs to Prada perfume to get the best deal, make the market even more competitive. “It is always a lot more competitive online because you are just one click away from the rival” says a CEO.

(4)Retailers selling electrical goods have been particularly hit by the Internet, as items such as items such as televisions and DVDs become much more common purchases. This creates dilemma for retailers who sell products both online and in shop.

(5)Some brick-and-mortar retailers are adopting a model of dual pricing in order to keep their position online while maintaining margins in their shops. Mr. Gladding says dual pricing will become harder to practice as consumers become better at surfing the internet.

(6)To be successful in operating in the online and offline world, retailers should probably try to integrate those two as much as possible. Some businesses have set up their operation to allow customers to shop online, over the telephone or in stores.

V. Match these words and phrases from article (1-10) with their meaning (a-j)

1.the high street	a.a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between
2.impact	b.to go different shops to compare prices before you buy smth.
3.cut-throat	c.operating in a building not in the Internet
4.rival	d.the difference between the cost of producing smth. and the price you sell it for
5.dilemma	e.the street in the town where you can find most shops and banks
6.bricks-and-mortar	f.setting two different prices online and in the shop for the same goods
7.dual pricing	g.extremely or unfairly competitive
8.margin	h.a powerful effect that something has on a situation or person
9.to surf the net	i.a person, group, etc. competing with others for the same thing
10.to shop about	j.to spend time visiting a lot of websites

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16