More Consumers Research Gift Purchases Online, Regardless of Where They Buy

A survey released this week by multichannel research and strategy firm the e-tailing group shows that 54 percent of the 1,300 consumers polled plan to research products online before purchasing from any channel. Other data gift-purchasing behavior revealed by the survey:

* 54 percent of consumers search directly for a specific item at a merchant site where they like to shop;
* 44 percent comparison shop three sites before making a final purchase decision;