MLB apparel, MLB Gear and MLB jersey store, Off The Hook Sports.com shares online market data for MLB Gear site OffTheHookSports.com site and trends for online shopping in '06

Off The Hook Sports.com market analysis shows that online shopping in 2006 will climb past last year's record online sales figures. Juniper research has predicted 20% growth this holiday season with an estimated $79 billion in sales in comparison to last year's astonishing $66 billion dollars in sales. Juniper research also predicts online sales will surpass the $117 billion dollar mark by 2008. MLB merchandise shopping has been a significant part of online shoppers heading to the internet to make purchases. Major League Baseball (MLB) ranks right up with the NBA and NFL with annual merchandise sales over $3 billion dollars. MLB licensed merchandise sales are up over 100% from the year before thanks to the Boston Red Sox and their first World Series victory in 86 years according to Tim Bronson from MLB. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox account for over half of the sales, 53%, according to ESPN.
Currently 30% of internet users do a majority of their shopping online. This number is expected to increase to 50% by 2008! 2.5 million new customers will do their shopping online this year according to Forrester research. Offthehooksports.com is an online sports store offering 50,000 officially licensed team items from the MLB, NFL, NBA,MLB, NHL, NCAA and NASCAR. Best seller categories include: MLB Jersey, MLB Jerseys, MLB Apparel, MLB clothes, MLB Clothing MLB Shirts, MLB Caps, MLB Hats, MLB gifts and MLB merchandise. Over $3.8 billion was spent on apparel last year and the forecast is expected to surpass that mark this year according to Tim Gray from E-Commerce. Online shopping is expected to climb this year because of the extremely high fuel and heating costs. Consumers will want to take advantage of the hefty retail discounts available online along with the shipping specials that are expected to be offered to consumers. Offthehooksports.com offers a flat rate of $4.99 shipping no matter how many items or how large the order is. This is a tremendous savings for consumers and they would spend more than that in gasoline and their time in driving to the mall to shop. Also, online shopping sites have become much easier to use and navigate this year. Offthehooksports.com is able to offer over 50,000 items from the MLB, NFL, NBA, MLB and NCAA in an easy to use format and a flat shipping rate. Consumers are showing their trust and confidence in their internet shopping behavior. Off The Hook Sports.com features similar items and pricing to MLB.com, www.MLB.com, The Sports Authority, The Sports Authority.com, Dick's Sporting Goods, Dicks Sporting Goods.com, Footlocker, Footlocker.com, Finishline, Finishline.com, ESPN Shop, ESPNShop.com, MVP.com, Fog Dog.com, Modells.com, Sport Mart, Sportmart.com, Eastbay and Eastbay.com. Some of the best selling jerseys, replicas, authentic jerseys, throwbacks, swingman jerseys, t-shirts, caps and fitted hats from top name manufacturers: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Russell, Champion, New Era, 59/50 etc are available at online stores such as www.OffTheHookSports.com. A fan favorite jersey from Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez and Darek Jeter are some of the Best Seller Items on Offthehooksports.com. Best Selling MLB clothing, jerseys and apparel are from the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers. Most searched MLB items and words on internet according to Biz Rate.com are: White Sox, Yankees, Red Sox, NY Yankees, Chicago White Sox, New Era 5950, Cubs, Yankee Logos, Houston Astros, Cooperstown MLB, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees Apparel, Astros, Major League Baseball, New York Yankees, Yankees Baseball, jerseys, New Era, Bedding Sets, St. Louis Cardinals Jersey, Yankees Baseball, New York Yankees Jackets, Chicago White Sox Jerseys, Nike, Caps, Mets, New York Yankee, New York Yankees Hats, Randy Johnson, MBL apparel, Roger Clemens, Official Jerseys, Baseball jerseys, MLB Basebal Jerseys, Red Sox apparel. Others include MLB.com, MLB, www.MLB.com. Online shopping is here to stay and the numbers prove it. Stores such as Offthehooksports.com and their technology and website functionality and flat rate shipping will help drive more consumers to do their MLB shopping online in 2006 and beyond!