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Online Shopping Gains Popularity With Younger Crowd

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Shopping online isn't exactly the latest thing, but there's been an increase in e-commerce, especially as we head into the holidays. A new Harris Poll questions how what we do online has changed in the past year.

"One quarter of online U.S. adults say the time that they have spent shopping has increased, while 50 percent say it hasn't changed at all."

That statistic comes from Regina Corso, senior vice president for Harris Interactive.

She also said three in ten younger adults 18 to 34 say they are spending more time shopping online, and that it's not as simple as going to a website and placing an order, but that it's interactive.

KCBS' Janice Wright Reports:

"16 percent are posting comments and reviews and 28 percent of this younger-age group are reading product reviews," said Corso.

This trend is giving consumers a lot more power and leaving retailers with more of a strategy to figure out how to compete with online coupons and free shipping.

And for the more traditional brick and mortar stores, it gives customers a reason to come in.

Corso added that consumers are weighing their options and asking themselves the questions, "Is it a different type of sale, is it a different type of experience," before making the trek out to strip malls and shopping centers.

Of course, we all know it can be much easier to stay home in your slippers and shop when the mood strikes.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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