The 3300+ local spas using SpaBoom’s online instant gift technology have the edge over mammoth retailers this holiday season.

While Amazon and Wal-Mart seek out processes to reduce shipping costs and increase online shopping efficiencies, spas that offer online instant gifts can provide the perfect 'instant' gift with zero shipping costs. In addition, purchasing instant spa gifts online allows consumers to by-pass the mall, long lines and full parking lots this holiday.

The Wall Street Journal reports on Wal-Marts efforts to use their retail store-power to increase online sales. Wal-Mart is using its store locations to offer consumers free shipping from its online store. If a consumer purchases a product from www.walmart.com they can pick it up from their closest Wal-Mart store. It is a strategy designed to reduce shipping costs by using their brick and mortar locations. It is also testament to the consumers' demand for quick, easy and simple purchase experiences.

While e-commerce represents less than 5% of American retail spending, merchants are finding that even technologically unsophisticated consumers start their shopping on computers or mobile phones, perusing product reviews and price comparison Web sites.

ComScore said Monday total online orders rose 3%, to $19.9 billion, from November 1 through Dec. 11 compared to the same time a year ago. Miguel Bustillo and Geoffery A. Fowler

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Take advantage of your spa’s local brand presence but also shout the ease and convenience of your spa’s online instant gifts. Instant Gift Certificates give your spa the power of quick and effortless without the cost and hassle associated with shipping gifts this holiday.