Retailers and the Internet

What do you think about the effects of the Internet on our industry? Please tell us how much you agree or disagree with each. Let a 1 indicate you DISAGREE COMPLETELY and a 5 indicate you AGREE COMPLETELY.
	Disagree completely		Agree completely

	1	2	3	4	5
Internet selling will lead to more price competition.
The Internet is a good resource for learning about industry trends.
I think my customers prefer to learn about my store by using our web site rather than through other sources.
Internet companies with no physical storefront will take sales away from stores.
We will reach new geographic markets through the Internet
The Internet is a way to educate consumers on product differences and advantages.
Vendors will sell directly to consumers on the Internet bypassing retailers.
Consumers will research products on the Internet before buying.
It will become more and more important for retailers to have an Internet presence.
The supply chain is much more efficient because of the Internet.

About supply chain management
Do you visit manufacturers' web sites?
No	If not, why not?

Yes	If so, how often?
	1 to 2 times a year 3 to 4 times a year Monthly Weekly Daily Other; please describe in the box below

What are some of the ways you use vendor web sites or other web sites on the Internet?
	Never		Frequently

	1	2	3	4	5
Check publications' web sites to preview product and trends.
Subscribe to email messaging from web sites to preview products and trends.
Register to attend upcoming markets and/or trade shows.
Research new sources and products.
Communicate with my own customers.
Check out competitors web sites.
Place orders on vendor web sites.
Make re-orders on vendor web sites.
Track orders made with vendors.
Check on shipping times and costs from vendors.
Check product pricing.
Check on in-stock product inventory from vendors.

Does access to your vendors' new products online affect the number of markets you attend?
No
Yes	If yes, how?
	Attend fewer shows
	Send fewer buyers
	Other; please describe in the box below.

Does a vendor's website change your relationship with or the role of their sales reps?
Sales reps become less important	No change	Sales reps become more important

Does your store have a web site?
No	IF NO, are you planning for one in the near future?
	No plans Planning to launch web site in next 6 to 12 months Web site under construction Other


	IF YOU HAVE A WEB SITE
Yes	What features does your web site include?

	Brands offered Photos of products Prices Discussion boards/blogs Store locator/directions In-stock status of products Links to vendor sites	Product comparison Zoom/rotate on product photos Product dimensions (height, width, weight, etc.) Customer product reviews Gift suggestions Keyword (site) search Other; please describe below

	How often do you update your site?
	1 to 2 times a year 3 to 4 times a year Monthly Weekly Daily Other; please describe in the box below.

	When is the last time your site was updated? (month/year)

	Who maintains your web site?
	Consultant Store personnel Web hosting provider Yourself Other; please describe in the box below.

What do you do to drive traffic to or promote your website?

	Coupons Limited time offers Gift registry/wish list More payment options	Free shipping E-mail marketing programs None of the above Other; please describe in the box below.

	Do you track the traffic to your site with any web analytical measures?
	No
	Yes	Please describe in the box below.

	How has having a web site affected your brick-and-mortar store?
	No benefit/very little benefit		Neutral		Great benefit

	Please describe the benefits or drawbacks you've found to having a web site.

	How important is your website in your store's future growth strategy?
	Not at all important		Neutral		Very important

	Do you sell your products to consumers online?
	No
	Yes	When did your company start selling products online?

   In 2007
   1 to 2 years ago
   3 to 4 years ago
   5 years or more

	Do you sell the same items in your product line online as in your store?
	No
	Yes	What percentage of your product line do you sell online?
		Less than 10% 10% to 29% 30% to 49% 50% to 74% 75% or more

	What percentage of your store's revenues is generated by online sales?
	%

E-marketing
Do you have a database of your customers e-mail addresses?
No
Yes	Do you maintain your own database or outsource it to a service provider?
	Maintain with store personnel
	Outsource maintenance

	If you use e-mail marketing programs, how often do you use them to promote special events?
	1 to 2 times a year 3 to 4 times a year Monthly Weekly Daily Other; please describe below

Do you do any digital advertising?
No
Yes	If yes, what percentage of your ad budget do you allocate to digital ads?
	%

	Has digital advertising changed the amount of dollars you allocate to more traditional types of advertising?
	Fewer dollars to more traditional ads		No change		More dollars to more traditional ads

We'd like to know your opinion on how the Internet is affecting the home accents industry. Do you believe it has or will benefit the industry, caused or will cause problems, or had or will have little or no effect?

Retailer profile
Which best describes your retail operation?
	If you chose OTHER, please describe below.

Please indicate your estimated total sales for ALL stores in 2007.

  Under $1 million
  $1 million to under $5 million
  $5 million to under $10 million
  $10 million to under $50 million
  $50 million or more

To help us avoid duplicate entries, please provide your company name and location below. Your information will be treated as stricly confidential and will not be shared or published in any way.

Company name

Company location

If you have any additional information or comments you'd like to share with the editors of Home Accents Today, please use the box below.

Thank you for completing this survey!