In 2008, an online retailer rose 30%, according to preliminary data of E-Bit, reaching R $ 8.2 billion. For 2009, the growth forecast is 20% to 25%, after adjusting for the effects of the crisis , causing the volume handled exceeds $ 10 billion.   Sales in December 2008 rose only 15% compared to the same month in 2007.

This sector has a competitive in 2008 with the purchase of the site by submarine Americanas.com, forming the largest group of Brazilian e-commerce, the B2W, and the debut of Wal-Mart in sales via the Internet. The beginning of 2009 was also busy with the launch of the virtual store Casas Bahia.

Among the large retailers operating in the country, Carrefour has not only launched its e-commerce operation.

Noteworthy is the strategy of Casas Bahia to enter commerce. The company hoped that the class C acquired a satisfactory number of computers and credit cards, to ensure that the public would have as a buyer on your portal. The strong sales of computers in 2007 and 2008 and growth of its own credit card network (5.7 million cards in January 2008, in partnership with Bradesco) were the decisive factors for entry into electronic retailing. We invested £ 3.7 million in the Casas Bahia store so that the company had a site and safe and easy to use (mainframe platform in partnership with IBM). The store offers 4,000 products, a total of 7000 available on the network. Still does not sell mobile phones and some line items of furniture. The customer can buy online and take in one of the shops. Prices are still equal to the physical stores but the strategy is to begin to develop special promotions for the store.

Noteworthy also communicating the launch of the virtual store Casas Bahia, which began three years ago, when the retailer has placed more than 100 videos on a special channel on YouTube, presented the site and various products. The site also uses the concept of Web Collaboration in a virtual advisor helps the consumer to navigate. A team of 100 professionals accompanies the consumer step-by-step, helping you to navigate to the consummation of the purchase.

Source: estadao.com.br on 03.02.09.