Representatives from the hardware industry are going bug-eyed at e-commerce prospects from consumers who will spend an estimated $61 billion online in 2000, an incredible 85 percent increase over the previous year.
A series of programs under the heading "Clicks and Mortars" drew large audiences at The National Hardware Show and Building Products Exposition held in Chicago Aug. 13-16. According to the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) in January, nearly 24 percent of homeowners reported using the Internet to buy home improvement products, a 32 percent increase over the same level measured in June 1999 and a staggering 118 percent higher than the year-ago period. HIRI projects even higher numbers in the future.