On the Web, the race for a better wallet
Article Abstract:
Electronic wallets for online shopping have drawn the attention of Web heavyweights, who seek to streamline the process and strengthen their cyberspace position. These wallets allow shoppers to save time and keystrokes by clicking on a target that contains identification, credit cards and perhaps address books. Online experts claim that the current practice of entering personal information may be costing the lucrative industry millions of dollars. America Online, Yahoo and Excite are touting recently-developed electronic wallets that connect to all computers. Wallet providers also are racing to attract companies that already recognize the opportunity to study customer tendencies. Questions also are arising over security and privacy, as hackers could gain unauthorized access to centralized personal information. Electronic wallets gained momentum in 1998, when online shopping gained popularity. A growing number of retailers are introducing one-click systems limited to their stores.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1998
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IBM's electronic mall to close up shop
Article Abstract:
IBM has decided to close the World Avenue, its cyberspace shopping mall. The company had expected the on-line mall to prosper and was planning to take a percentage of the transactions between customers and the consumers. IBM has announced that in the future it will restrict itself to only providing technology for online shopping ventures to other organizations and not become involved itself. When World Avenue was opened in Jun of 1996 it was the highlight of the company's third quarter. Merchants blame IBM for not promoting the mall and with so many Web sites it is difficult for a single site to stand out. These merchants claim IBM never used very many of its resources to advertise the mall.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1997
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Latest chat topic at AOL: links with eBay
Article Abstract:
Sources say America Online Inc.is discussing further business ties with eBay Inc. The Web auctioneer's current market cap is $9.5 bil, on 1998 revenues of $47.4 mil generating earnings of $2.4 mil. The average eBay site visitor stays 27 min.: it is this 'stickiness' that AOL may try to tap into, to increase audience and advertising revenue. Already eBay has a $12mil/3yr contract with AOL for over 100 links on the online service's site. AOL may be looking for ways to get users who follow these links to return to or stay within AOL. Also in the equation for any near term large deal is AOL's merger with Netscape, and the organizational demands that entails.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1999
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