New Insights into Online Consumer Shopping Trends in USA, China and Latin America 10/5/00 Cognitiative, Inc. has released its Q2 2000 Pulse of the Customer(SM) research findings, featuring detailed analysis of online consumer shopping trends on an international basis. The research confirms that in the USA, e-commerce is solidly entrenched in consumers' routine habits but customer loyalty continues to be elusive. In addition, the price of American customer loyalty is still on the rise as deal-seeking consumers expect significant incentives to select one site over another. E-commerce in China and Latin America remains in very early stages, but consumer enthusiasm is palpable. According to Laurie Windham, founder and CEO of Cognitiative, "Clearly, the U.S. is far ahead of China and Latin America in terms of overall Web consumer penetration. But the attitudes and behaviors of consumers, once online, become very similar across markets. Infrastructural barriers not withstanding, consumer preferences are becoming the common denominator for global e-businesses." Pulse of the Customer is Cognitiative's proprietary research series focused on understanding e-customer attitudes and preferences. Every quarter, Cognitiative conducts research among Web customers from around the USA via e-panel and focus groups. The full research report, Pulse of the Customer, can be ordered at www.cognitiative.com Headquartered in San Francisco, CA and founded in 1995, Cognitiative, Inc. is a management and marketing strategies consulting firm serving e-business and technology companies.