SAN FRANCISCO, June 17 (UPI) -- A number of U.S. companies are altering their selling practices in a concerted attempt to compensate for a marked slowdown in Internet sales growth.
With the growth of online sales decreasing during the last year, companies like Dell and Expedia have begun marketing their services in the field rather than on consumers' computers, The New York Times said Sunday.
Experts said Internet sales, which represent 5 percent of all retail sales nationwide, likely have reached their peak and the slowdown represents consumers seeking a more interactive experience.
"There's a recognition that some customers like a more interactive experience," Dell executive Alex Gruzen said. "They like shopping and they want to go retail."
To compensate for the lack of growth in Internet sales, companies are pairing their Web sites with in-store visits and attempting to offer more appealing store environments.
Analysts told the Times that by the year 2011, the slowdown will leave online sales only representing nearly 7 percent of the nation's total retail sales.
