Articles by Clare Saliba

While automotive Web sites continue to gain traction among Internet users inthe United States, data released Wednesday by Jupiter MMXI found that European consumersare increasingly steering toward such sites to research auto purchases, get directions and secure car loans and insurance policies "The Internet is clearly an established source of infor...

Online spending climbed to US$3.5 billion in March -- a 36 percent spike from the $2.6 billion seen last April -- as almost half of all Americans made purchases via the Web, according to data released Tuesday by Nielsen//NetRatings and Harris Interactive As part of their latest eCommercePulse, which surveyed roughly 39,000 Internet users, the resea...

In an effort to build consumer confidence in e-commerce, the U.S. Better Business Bureau (BBB) and two leading European business organizations announced Monday that they are developing a "trustmark" program to provide international standards for Internet transactions The project is being undertaken by the online division of the BBB, as well as the ...

Three advertising industry giants announced Thursday that they have agreed to jointly establish anelectronic marketplace for buyers and sellers to conduct their media business dealings Slated for a formal launch during the second quarter of this year, the newfirm is being formed by the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG), Omnicom Group (NYSE:...

In an effort to crack down on data-mining firms that obtain personalinformation from consumers through fraud, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Wednesday it had filed suit against three firms that it alleged unlawfullyobtained and sold confidential financial data The agency, which brought the sealed cases in three separate U.S. dist...

Online book vendor Barnesandnoble.com(Nasdaq: BNBN) announced Tuesday that it is expecting first-quarter sales toclimb to US$109 million, a 23 percent spike from the year-ago period The company said it was able to achieve the increase by keeping itspromotional offers -- such as free shipping and offline advertising -- at aminimum....

Although the vast majority of Canadian officials view the Internet as acritical channel for the delivery of services to the public, the online arms of many agencies are failing to create a "seamless"e-government network, according to a report released Tuesday by Forrester Research Spurred by a national e-government initiative, all levels of Canada'...

Consumer electronics e-tailer Outpost.com (Nasdaq: COOL) announced late Friday that it has pink-slipped 110 employees, or 30 percent of its workforce, and appointed a new top executive to sharpen its business objectives Outpost founder and chairman Darryl Peck was named president and chief executive officer, replacing Katherine Vick. Vick originall...

In a bid to weather the harsh stock market climate that is currentlybattering online brokerage houses, Ameritrade (Nasdaq: AMTD) announcedThursday that it is slashing its advertising budget by roughly 25 percent andpink-slipping between 270 to 300 workers, or 14 percent of its payroll The Omaha, Nebraska-based firm, which previously said this round...

Businesses in Latin America are beginning to tap theire-commerce potential, according to data released Wednesday by the Yankee Group. The report, "Latin America'sE-Builders," found that corporations throughout the region are investing an average US$1.2 millionper project for Web development and online business ventures....

In a bid to strengthen its international foothold, Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO) announced Tuesday that it has completed the acquisition of Australian online auction house Sold.com.au. Yahoo!, which is scheduled to report first-quarter earnings after the stock markets close Wednesday, did not reveal the purchase price of the acquisition. The newly combine...

Although the current energy crunch has caused prices to surge and spurred a complex web of new laws and regulations, a report released Tuesday by Forrester Research found that online energy trading in wholesale markets continues to make "rapid growth," mushrooming 750 percent from 1999 to 2000 "Despite last year's turbulence, energy companies jumpe...

Providing a welcome dose of good news amid a flurry of dire earnings forecasts, e-tail giant Amazon.com said Monday that it would post a narrower-than-expected loss for the first quarter due to surging electronic sales The Seattle, Washington-based online bellwether reported that it would post a pro forma loss of slightly less than US$50 million, o...

Sycamore Networks (Nasdaq: SCMR)fell US$2.16 to $6.91 in early trading Friday on news that the company'sthird-quarter revenue and earnings will miss targets after a sudden drop incustomer demand "Due to market conditions, it is necessary that the company reduce a portionof its operating expenses," said Sycamore president and chief executiveofficer ...

With the initial public offering (IPO) market continuing to languish, a report released Wednesday by IDC advises venture capitalists that the current economicclimate makes it more important than ever to maximize the attention theyprovide to each firm in their portfolio "For venture capitalists, understanding some of their portfolio companies'most a...

Although many government bodies are taking steps to implement onlineservices, a report released Tuesday by consulting firm Accenture concludes they still have "a long way to go." The study, "Rhetoric vs. Reality - Closing the Gap," found that only in rare cases can businesses conduct transactions with government entities via the Internet....

Under pressure brought on by the softening online advertising market, Internet powerhouse Yahoo! (Nasdaq: YHOO) announced Monday that it will start offering premium financial services and content for a monthly fee According to the Santa Clara, California-based company, the new service willstream unlimited real-time stock quotes and financial news d...

Internet powerhouse eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY) is gearing up to move beyond its auction listings base with an e-commerce hosting service, according to a report published Monday in an industry journal The new venture, which would be rolled out within several months, reportedly would allow businesses to set up branded fixed-priced storefronts on eBay's Web ...

Further solidifying its international foothold in the online auction market, Internet giant eBay announced Thursday that it has launched new Web sites in Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland According to the San Jose, California-based company, the expansions will enable it to penetrate regional markets with aminimal investment in technology....

Retail banking firms in the UK looking to ramp up theire-commerce operations will need to organize theirfinancial services around PC-based transactions and account management, according to a study released Monday by ForresterResearch Because of the PC focus, Forrester said other banking access points,including brick-and-mortar branches, will increa...