E-COMMERCE INCHING FORWARD

There’s hope for e-commerce yet. Internet use among Canadians is growing, albeit slowly, according to CyberTrends, a quarterly survey of Internet use conducted by Comquest Research in Toronto. The number of adults using the Web weekly increased to 42% during the summer, two points above the previous quarter. Also, the number of Canadians who have made a purchase over the Internet doubled in the past year to 18%. Average time spent on the Net by adults was 20% higher than it was a year ago.

SILVER SCREEN GOING FOR GOLD

Canadians are heading to the movies in record numbers. Attendance at Canada’s 692 theatres hit a high of 112.8 million in 1998/99, according to the latest figures released by Statistics Canada. The study attributes the growth to the development of new multiplexes with revamped lobbies, video arcades and digital sound. Some 28 of such facilities opened in the survey year. Albertans were the most avid filmgoers, seeing an average of almost five films that year, compared to a national average of 3.73. The fewest number of theatre-exhibited movies were seen by Newfoundlanders, who attended an average of only 1.67 in the 98/99 season.

HALLOWEEN CHARMS YOUNG ADULTS

Young adults are bewitched by Halloween and are celebrating it in record numbers, according to a new study conducted by Virginia-based Market Facts for the National Retail Federation. In its survey of 1,000 American adults, the research firm found that almost 39% of Americans aged 18-34 plan to attend a Halloween party, and more than half would wear a costume to work, if they were given the chance. With the likes of Pottery Barn and Martha Stewart plugging holiday decorating, the report goes on to say that the 18-34 age group is playing a big role in driving recent growth in decoration sales. Halloween has risen to the number two spot in the U.S. seasonal decorations category. Sales in 1999 hit US$659 million, up a monstrous 53% from the previous year.