Circuit City Says Online Integration Going Well

Circuit City Group, the No. 2 U.S. consumer-electronics retailer, said more than half of its Internet shoppers are ordering online and picking up purchases at its stores, evidence integration of the two operations is working. Circuitcity.com began selling products in July, and the number of visitors and how long they visit have grown since, Circuit City chief executive Richard Sharp said at a Banc of America Securities conference in San Francisco. He declined to give specifics, though he said the Internet business remains a small part of overall sales. Circuit City had revenue of $2.42 billion in the quarter ended August 31. Best Buy, the No. 1 U.S. consumer electronics seller, plans to begin selling over the Internet next year. Circuit City's strategy is to become the dominant Web electronics retailer and has designed Internet operations to work in tandem with its 645 stores by letting buyers pick up their orders at stores and avoid shipping costs. ""It really combines the best of both worlds,"" Sharp said. Circuit City shares rose 0.63 to 41.94 in midday trading. Source: Bloomberg News, Special to CNET News.com Copyright 1999, Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved.