It was announced yesterday that online retail sales are expected to grow to $204 Billion Dollars! How much of that is being spent at Black websites?

As I've reported in the past...Not Much! Studies indicate that we as a people, are our own worst enemy. Blacks would rather buy at a mainstream web site then shop at Black web sites. Twice as many Blacks say they primarily use mainstream web sites than use ethnic sites, according to research on ethnic media by Bendixen & Associates (www.bendixenandassociates.com)...The White Mans Ice Is Always Colder!

In these recessionary times, with brick-and-mortar sales showing a downtrend, the Internet is booming as a convenient place to purchase clothing, electronics, and even big ticket items such as cars. In the Forrester Research, Inc. study of 125 retailers (see The State of Retailing Online 2008: Marketing Report below), online retail sales will rise by 17 percent. With the three biggest categories being Apparel ($26.6 billion), computers ($23.9 billion), and autos ($19.3 billion).

According to Target Marketing News (www.targetmarketnews.com) a primary source on Black marketing statistics, these are the same top 5 categories that Blacks spent over $744 Billion dollars on in The Buying Power of Black America study:

- Housing $110.2 billion dollars - Food $53.8 billion dollars - Cars/Trucks $28.7 billion dollars - Clothing $22.0 billion dollars - Health Care $17.9 billion dollars

Studies show that Blacks are behind whites when it comes to utilizing the Internet for information and online purchases. Black are less likely to cite the Internet as a resource for information, or to say that it has taken time away from television (see Packaged Facts, African American Market in the U.S. at www.packagedfacts.com). They are also less likely to have made a purchase over the Internet than the general population (26% versus 44%) and prefer to shop in person rather than online.

There are 18.4 million Blacks online (according to eMarketer.com) and if we only agreed to purchase one Black product online during a targeted time frame, we could change the face of the Black community. Think about it! ... 18 million people spending an average of $20 equals $368 million Black dollars. Almost half of what we spent in brick-and-motor stores last year. What would this say to corporate advertisers? How many new jobs would be created in our communities? Think about the new products and services this type of community self-empowerment would generate, not only online but in neighborhoods all across this country.

We as an online community must support our own. I've said this once, I've said it a thousand times; If you claim to support Black Business; If you want to see more Black products and services; If you want to see your people reach social and economic parity on the Net .... Then Purchase something from, Subscribe to, Volunteer or Visit a Black online website. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW!!!

Remember, We Must Share The Knowledge (Network)...To Share The Dollars!!!

To read more about The State of Retailing Online 2008:

Click here to read the Marketing Report