Fascinating piece in Internet Retailer about expectations that the Obama administration could have an enormous impact on online retailing. Three major areas that could be affected by legislation and/or regulation:
• Privacy concerns. There is a belief that the White House will push for laws that will restrict the ability of online marketers to use databases to target and differentiate consumers with advertising and promotional offers.
• Broadband. Part of the Obama administration’s stimulus package includes money designated to expand broadband access to parts of the nation where it is not currently available.
• Sales taxes. With state and federal governments pretty much all facing budget crises because of diminished tax revenues, there seems to be a feeling that the time is ripe for some sort of Internet sales tax that would level the playing field between online retailers and their brick-and-mortar brethren and generate significant dollars for a variety of government entities.
• Privacy concerns. There is a belief that the White House will push for laws that will restrict the ability of online marketers to use databases to target and differentiate consumers with advertising and promotional offers.
• Broadband. Part of the Obama administration’s stimulus package includes money designated to expand broadband access to parts of the nation where it is not currently available.
• Sales taxes. With state and federal governments pretty much all facing budget crises because of diminished tax revenues, there seems to be a feeling that the time is ripe for some sort of Internet sales tax that would level the playing field between online retailers and their brick-and-mortar brethren and generate significant dollars for a variety of government entities.
- KC's View:
