Forum Archive Index - November 2000

["P Maiden" <pmaiden@xtra.co.nz>]

Re the recent discussion on the future of tech stocks there is a series of relevant and interesting articles on thestreet.com as linked below,

 

http://www.thestreet.com/funds/investorforum/1153670.html

 

There is a future in e and tech things as the world evolves.

 

We do not always appreciate how advanced we are in NZ. We have a lot of good software developers and web page designers.

 

Many of our businesses have taken advantage of e-things. We just don't see it.

 

Even more importantly a lot of the developments have come about to solve problems - the solution then marketed to the world. RNS is a great example of this.

 

In the building supply industry Carters is on-line while their main competitor PlaceMakers does not seem to have a website. Does this make CAH a better buy than FLB if this is the way that business is going to be done in the future.

 

The WHS is on-line but does not need to advertise the fact, it still wants people to visit stores. But at it has future proofed itself and sells to those customers who prefer to do business this way.

 

Woolworths transact a rising percentage of their business through the web.

 

Have a go and buy some groceries through them. It is a real experience

 

The likes of flyingpig.co.nz and BDO will have their day. They are just the trail blazers for the way a lot of business will be done in the future.

 

B2C is still only a little way up the S-curve. Watch it take off as soon as more people get familiar with the internet. I would say a lot of people have put things in a 'shopping basket' but not pushed the buy button. Once they have done their  first purchase watch out.

 

Studies show that the women of the world are just starting to learn about internet purchasing and are showing confidence in buying on the net. Bear in mind that women make a lot more purchases than men. Won't internet sales take off then.

 

Whether it is true internet companies or those existing (or new) companies that embrace the internet to secure their future only time will tell.

 

Tech and e-things aren't really new - it is the way that business is done these days.

 

Peter