Working today? Then you're likely shopping

If your co-workers take their lunch at their desk today, they might be on the computer. But there is a good chance they won't be working.

According to a BIGresearch survey conducted for Shop.org, 55.8 percent of workers with Internet access, or 72.8 million people, will shop for holiday gifts online from work.

It's a trend that continues to increase on the Monday after Thanksgiving or Cyber Monday, as retailers call today. In 2005, just 44.7 percent said they shopped online for holiday gifts from work.

Seventy percent of young adults (18-34) with Internet access will shop at work. Men are more likely than women (60.3 percent vs. 51.5 percent) to shop while on the job.

Nearly 84 percent of all online retailers will have a special promotion today, up from 72.2 percent a year ago, according to the eHoliday Survey for Shop.org this fall by Shopzilla.

The most popular promotions are expected to be specific deals (38.8 percent), e-mail campaigns (32.7 percent) and one-day sales (24.5 percent). In addition, nearly one-fourth of retailers (22.5 percent) will offer free shipping on all purchases.

Stepping up

It's fitting to note on World AIDS Day, which is today, that more merchants than ever have signed on this year to participate in Shopping with Friends, an annual benefit for Lowcountry AIDS Services.

On Saturday, 127 retailers throughout the Lowcountry, including 29 national merchants such as Pottery Barn, Gap and Brookstone, will donate 10 percent of their sales to Lowcountry AIDS Services, said Karen Siegel, founder and co-chair of the event, now in its fifth year.

"We were worried this year in light of the economy that some of the stores would not participate, and we have more stores this year than last year," Siegel said. "It shows a real community commitment on their part. People like you and me can't give as much to charity this year as we would like, so here is a perfect opportunity for someone to do it for us."

The fund-raiser begins Friday with a kick-off party from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at Saks Fifth Avenue on King Street.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon, it's the official Shopping with Friends brunch at the Riviera Theatre across from Charleston Place Hotel. Hosted by Elle Magazine, Charleston Magazine and Lacoste, the full champagne brunch will offer bids on artwork and chances to win front-row seats to the Tyra Banks Show in New York or watch the U.S. Open from the Lacoste sponsor box. Other goodies are also on tap. Cost of the brunch is $45.

In its first four years, Shopping with Friends has raised more than $400,000 for Lowcountry AIDS Services, Siegel said.

"It makes every gift we buy count — twice," Siegel said.

To buy brunch tickets or to find a participating merchant, log on to www.aids-services.com or call 843-747-2273.

Odds and ends

Since 1933, Charleston Florist has flowered in downtown Charleston and is now under fourth-generation owner Kelly S. Hunt. On Wednesday, the business at 184 King St. will celebrate its 75th year with a drop-in from 4-7 p.m. Drop by, meet the staff and help them welcome the holiday season.

A newcomer to the Charleston market, Indianapolis-based appliance and electronics retailer H.H. Gregg is betting on the gaming business to boost sales this holiday season. The Rivers Avenue merchant started selling video game bundles with popular games and various accessories in each of its 109 locations across its nine-state network on Friday.

East Shore Athletic Club is bulking up its number of fitness centers. The new 24-hour, 7-day-a-week gym at 1005 Tanner Ford Blvd. in Tanner Plantation is the chain's 11th workout center. It is the chain's eighth location to be open all the time.

A clothing boutique that originated in Charleston has opened a second location in Greenville. Hampden Clothing, owned by Greenville native Stacy Smallwood, opened in February 2007 at 357 King St. and has been highlighted in several prominent women's magazines. The store carries lines by "cutting-edge" designers such as Thread Social, Vena Cava, Rag & Bone, Elizabeth and James, Steven Alan and others. In case you're in the Greenville area, the new store is at 500 E. McBee Ave. in McBee Station.

Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524 or wwise@postandcourier.com.