Perhaps with that in mind, some Web merchants are devoting extra effort to keeping their auto-replenishment customers happy.

Such projections raise interesting questions for Web merchants.

Web merchants are also cutting customer service costs, the report said.

In past years, some Web merchants included these types of video features on their sites.

This year, Web merchants were not immune to greater macroeconomic trends.

Web merchants cannot ensure our safety, and we conduct business with them at our own peril.

To be sure, Web merchants that offer free shipping will have to bear the extra cost, which is considerable.

The conflict has involved online companies that earn money by funneling customers to Web merchants.

For Web merchants, having the credit-card companies' support is a boon.

And like the enablers of so many addictions, Web merchants may quickly come to regret their role.