Online Shopping 网上购物

With only two weeks to go before Christmas, buying presents is a high priority¹ for a lot of people. However, this year not so many people are leaving their homes to browse² around the shops. These days lots of people can do their shopping in the comfort of their own home with the help of the internet.
　　Online shopping is becoming more and more popular for a number of reasons; prices are often lower online, you don’t have to queue up in busy shops and you can buy almost any product imaginable with just a few clicks of your mouse.
　　Computer trends are often male-dominated but this year women are expected to do more shopping on the internet than men. It seems women are now more attracted to the convenience of online shopping than they used to be.
　　Average spending online this Christmas by women will rise to £240 (3360 Yuan) compared to the slightly lower average of £233 for men, while the average spend per person on the high street is only £197. 70% of internet users, male and female, are now buying their Christmas gifts online.
　　In the past a lot of people were reluctant to shop online. Many were worried about the security of entering their card details on the internet and the reliability³ of the internet but as shopping online has become more widespread, these worries have begun to disappear. 45% of internet users still do have security worries but it hasn’t slowed down the ever-increasing numbers of online shoppers.
　　One victim of the online shopping boom⁴ is the UK high street. Christmas trading can represent up to 60% of turnover⁵ for some stores. Many companies are concerned that not enough shoppers are coming through their doors in the run-up to Christmas. As a result there are lots of special offers in the shops.
　　Most shops traditionally have sales after Christmas but this year the bargains have come early in an attempt to lure⁶ consumers to spend. Bad news for the high street has become good news for the bank balances of UK shoppers this Christmas!

GLOSSARY 词汇表
to browse around 浏览
to queue up 排队
a few clicks of your mouse 点击你的鼠标
the high street 主要商业街
entering their card details 填写银行卡资料
widespread 流行广泛的
ever-increasing 不断增长的
boom 繁荣
turnover 营业额
special offers 特价
in the comfort of their own home 在家里舒舒服服的(…)
any product imaginable 可以想象到的产品
male-dominated 由男性主宰的
reluctant 勉强的
reliability 可靠性
internet users 上网者
victim 牺牲品
trading 交易
the run-up 即将到来之际
to lure 诱惑

1 priority   

n.优先处理的事，居先，优先（权）

参考例句：

• The development of the national economy is a top priority.发展国民经济是应予以最优先考虑的事。
• Things should be taken up in order of priority.办事应有个先后次序。

2 browse   

vi.随意翻阅，浏览；(牛、羊等)吃草

参考例句：

• I had a browse through the books on her shelf.我浏览了一下她书架上的书。
• It is a good idea to browse through it first.最好先通篇浏览一遍。

3 reliability   

n.可靠性，确实性

参考例句：

• We mustn't presume too much upon the reliability of such sources.我们不应过分指望这类消息来源的可靠性。
• I can assure you of the reliability of the information.我向你保证这消息可靠。

4 boom   

n.隆隆声；vt.发隆隆声

参考例句：

• The country is having a great boom in industry.这个国家的工业正蓬勃发展。
• Boom!Boom!Boom!A series of explosions shook the valley.轰！轰！轰！一连串爆破声震撼山谷。

5 turnover   

n.人员流动率，人事变动率；营业额，成交量

参考例句：

• The store greatly reduced the prices to make a quick turnover.这家商店实行大减价以迅速周转资金。
• Our turnover actually increased last year.去年我们的营业额竟然增加了。

6 lure   

n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引

参考例句：

• Life in big cities is a lure for many country boys.大城市的生活吸引着许多乡下小伙子。
• He couldn't resist the lure of money.他不能抵制金钱的诱惑。