Web Shopping Looks Brighter Than Last Year

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Retailers are hoping shoppers eager to
avoid crowded stores will turn to the Internet this holiday season.

Internet analysts at comScore Inc. expect the time-saving aspect of online shopping will translate into a 3 percent increase for the Web sites of traditional retailers in the months of November and December.

Brick-and-mortar sellers, meanwhile, are expecting a 1 percent
drop from last year.

Online sellers are rolling out discounts and deals to try to
entice frugal shoppers. Steep discounts and free shipping are
expected to be the norm this holiday season.

Big retailers are also using the Web to steer buyers to
discounts. Forrester Research says more companies are giving out coupon codes on Twitter and using social networking sites to drum up business