Retailers are working very diligently to get shoppers to react to their E-mail offers — in an environment where people often view such e-mail as spam or junk.

As Elizabeth Holmes reports for the Wall Street Journal: “The first one lands before the sun comes up: ‘Sale! Our buyers’ favorite picks up to 50% off.’ An hour later, there’s another: ‘Four deals inside and everything ships free!’ By the time you get to work, even more: ‘Exactly What She Wants: Chic Shoes and Handbags on Sale Now!’ In the avalanche of messages hitting in-boxes this time of year, retailers’ E-mails work extra hard to stand out, with painstakingly-crafted sales pitches that nudge you through a desired progression that starts with opening the E-mail, reading it, clicking through to the Webs ite and, finally, the holy grail, making the purchase.”

Click the image for a WSJ video on these tactics.