Ecommerce is rising significantly in markets all over the world as a top sales channel, and one of the regions that has seen the greatest growth in online purchases is Europe. Recent research estimated that ecommerce sales will increase sharply in the coming years, as consumers take to the Web to enjoy the convenience that the shopping channel offers. In addition, more merchants will be paying attention to this trend and will implement solutions to accommodate online patrons, contributing to the expected rise.

Internet Retailer reported that a study conducted by Germany Trade & Invest revealed that ecommerce will continue its widespread growth in Europe over the next four years. In 2012, a total of €112 billion ($149.5 billion) was spent online, and the research anticipates that figure will jump to €191 billion ($254.9 billion) in 2017. This represents a 70.5 percent increase, the news source explained.

As ecommerce continues its upward trajectory within Europe, merchants may want to implement the right solutions to help them attract new business and retain existing customers who prefer to shop online. Retail management software platforms can help brands oversee all operations, both in store and on the Web. In addition, point of sale technology ensures that businesses are able to quickly process transactions no matter which channel consumers are using.

Economic conditions have been steadily improving throughout the United Kingdom, which is welcome news following the damaging recession the country experienced over the past few years. Retail sales have been a strong driver of growth in the U.K., and ecommerce is one factor that has contributed to sales increases during the past few years.

However, a recent study from Capgemini and Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) found that in July, Web sales grew by only 9 percent year-over-year, representing the weakest rise in more than three years. Internet Retailer reported that the study revealed a 2 percent decrease between June and last month's online retail sales. This is the first monthly decline Capgemini and IMRG have found since beginning this study 13 years ago.

Despite these poor results, analysts said that the first half of 2013 was still a success for online merchants, as sales increased 16 percent from the first six months of 2012, the source noted.

Things could look up for ecommerce retailers as the holiday shopping season quickly approaches. To deal with the influx of customers and increased sales, businesses can use retail management software to ensure all of their online and in-store operations are running as smoothly as possible.

In the past, visiting brick-and-mortar locations or browsing through merchants' catalogs were two of the top shopping methods used by customers. And while storefronts are still heavily preferred by many patrons, ecommerce is steadily gaining a foothold within the retail industry. With online shopping, consumers are able to research, compare and purchase products from any place and at any time, providing them with more convenience. This helps to boost customer retention and loyalty, meaning that merchants can leverage ecommerce solutions to increase their revenue.

As the shopping channel continues to grow, businesses that have yet to implement technology to provide Web options for patrons risk falling behind the competition. Fortunately, with the help of retail management software solutions, companies can ensure they are accommodating valuable customers who prefer to shop online.

Second quarter sees strong ecommerce growth
Recent retail sales data highlights the increasing importance of ecommerce within the industry. Internet Retailer reported that, according to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, there was an 18.4 percent jump in online sales between Q2 2013 and Q2 2012. This represents the strongest quarterly growth for ecommerce since the end of 2007, the source explained.

The source spoke with several retail industry experts to get their take on the uptick in ecommerce, and the majority asserted that the channel is here to stay. The news provider pointed out several reasons for the growing popularity of online shopping, one of which is social media. These networks give brands a valuable tool for communicating with patrons and promoting their products. Additionally, the source noted that mobile device point of sale solutions are encouraging more Web purchases, which is expected to continue into the future.

Ecommerce helping US economy
The spike in online retail sales is not only enhancing merchants' revenues, but it is also helping to improve the U.S. economy. A total of $64.6 billion was spent through the Web in Q2 2013, which is providing a boost to the nation's still-recovering economy. During the recession, many retailers saw their sales plummet, and although conditions are still not exactly where they were before the downturn, ecommerce is giving merchants a more optimistic outlook for the coming months.

Ecommerce has taken the retail industry by storm. Consumers are increasingly going online to browse for, compare and buy the products they want. For this reason, merchants have adopted technology that allows them to offer online shopping to their customers. However, not all brands have seen success when it comes to their ecommerce efforts. Fortunately, with the help of retail management software solutions, companies can make sure their Web shopping platforms bring in new business.

Forbes stated that for some merchants, the time, effort and money put into developing ecommerce operations has not been worth it. This could be because some retailers have a hard time ensuring their platforms are up and running, in addition to running into issues delivering products to customers in a timely manner and offering the best prices while still being able to turn a profit. Because of this, some brands have relied solely on their brick-and-mortar locations to sell their merchandise, but this is becoming increasingly difficult as many consumers now prefer to shop online.

However, retail management software can give merchants the tools they need to oversee all aspects of their online operations, such as point of sale processes, inventory procedures and customer loyalty initiatives, among other factors. By doing this, brands stand a better chance of making their ecommerce efforts successful.

For many retailers, opening new locations is a move that brings in new business and success. Most of the time, this expansion is within domestic markets, but in some cases, merchants turn their sights to foreign regions. For example, Wal-Mart operates several stores in China, and Target has Canadian locations, just to name a few. But now, retailers' attention has turned to the Latin American market.

Internet Retailer reported that ecommerce is a main focus point for merchants that want to expand operations within Latin America. The source conducted its 2013 Latin America 400 study and found that the total amount of Web sales in the Latin American market for 39 American-based online retailers increased 19.7 percent last year, totaling $2.25 billion. These ecommerce merchants that have expanded throughout the region include Dell, Amazon and Wal-Mart.

However, the source explained that online sales growth within Latin America is not without its difficulties. Complex and costly government regulations as well as inadequate delivery services are just a few of the challenges that retailers are facing. On the other hand, the opportunities in the region are extremely lucrative for brands that want to expand and offer their products, as consumers are looking for various merchandise and services they may not be currently getting from domestic companies, the source asserted.

For merchants that have or are planning on expanding, adopting a reliable retail management software solution can help manage all operational aspects and regions.

Shopping for merchandise online is a preferred method for many consumers, and it seems as though the channel will only increase in use in the coming years. People like the convenience that ecommerce provides, as they can browse for, compare and buy products at home or on the go through their mobile devices. The fast point of sale transactions and simple delivery options add to the reasons why more customers are turning to the Internet for their retail needs.

With the back-to-school season fast approaching and the official start of the holiday shopping season only a few months away, merchants are already gearing up for these busy periods. If brands want to ensure they attract and accommodate both new and existing patrons, then putting more focus into ecommerce strategies is one of the best ways to drive sales.

Web shopping on sharp upward trajectory
It's no secret that ecommerce is steadily growing as a preferred shopping channel for a significant amount of consumers. But what may come as a surprise is the expected sharp increase of Internet commerce throughout this year and in the near future. Internet Retailer reported that, according to research from IBM, online retail sales rose 15 percent during this year's second quarter when compared to the same time last year.

There were several retail sectors that experienced more growth than others during the past three months, the source explained. For example, online apparel sales were boosted by 21 percent year-over-year thanks to markdowns. Additionally, sales of home goods saw a 56 percent rise from the same time last year, the source detailed.

Mobile becoming a main channel
While many shoppers like to research and purchase products using their home computers and laptops, another trend is steadily gaining traction within ecommerce – mobile devices. Smartphones and tablets give consumers the ability to look up information and buy merchandise at any place and any time.

A separate article by Internet Retailer revealed that a study by Branding Brand found that mobile commerce increased significantly between July 2012 and July 2013. During this time, sales made on mobile gadgets rose from 2.7 percent to 4.3 percent, representing a 59.2 percent growth. And analysts expect this figure will continue to grow, as consumers express their preference for the channel and merchants implement mobile POS solutions to accommodate device-carrying patrons.

As consumers around the world are increasingly taking to the Internet to research, compare and buy retail items, merchants are finding that they need  to adapt to this change by implementing solid point of sale and retail management software solutions. Businesses in Australia and New Zealand will want to turn their focus to online sales, as recent research has found that ecommerce is set to grow significantly in those two regions over the next few years.

Internet Retailer reported that, according to a study by Frost & Sullivan, purchases made on the Web will increase 13 percent each year in each country, through 2017. At that time, ecommerce will account for approximately 10 percent of all retail sales in Australia and New Zealand, the source detailed. As for this year, the research suggested that online purchases will bring in a significant total of $18.3 billion for merchants.

This should be welcome news for the Australian economy, as retail sales have been weak throughout the past few months. The growing ecommerce sector is expected to contribute to strong growth in the nation. The Sydney Morning Herald noted that May's sales rose 0.1 percent from the previous month. However, between March and April, retail sales dropped by 0.1 percent.

When running a brick-and-mortar location and online storefront, there are many parts that are necessary to keep operations running smoothly. One of the most common elements is employees, as these professionals help ensure that customers are satisfied, various strategies are working and systems are performing efficiently.

According to a recent Internet Retailer survey, while hiring sales staff is still a focus of many merchants, a significant amount of businesses are looking to bring on more marketing and analytics professionals. Throughout the next year, 34 percent of companies stated they plan to hire marketing employees, 25 percent said their attention will be on information technology professionals and 18 percent want to bring on individuals proficient in analytics and web design.

The source explained that the move toward hiring individuals for more technology-based positions is mainly due to the shift toward ecommerce by many retailers. As consumers increasingly go online to research and purchase products, merchants are now putting more time and effort into building solid and effective web platforms, Internet Retailer noted.

In addition to hiring tech-savvy workers, businesses can also implement retail management software to ensure their online processes are as streamlined as possible.

It can be by accessing a mobile-optimized website or downloading an application to get the information they need, but whatever the method, smartphones and tablets have made their mark on consumers' daily lives. People are increasingly using these gadgets to complete a wide range of tasks, from checking their bank accounts, playing games or catching up on the latest news, among other things.

And now, these devices are being used to research, compare and purchase merchandise from retailers. This has been a mostly welcome trend, as it has given merchants more opportunities for boosting their customer satisfaction and capturing new business. However, there are some companies that may have thought mobile commerce would be a fleeting idea. But they might want to think again, as several recent reports have shown that mobile won't be leaving the retail industry anytime soon.

IPhone sales on the rise
Consumers are catching on to the smart device trend. CNet reported that Morgan Stanley Analyst Katy Huberty predicted Apple's sales of its iPhone gadget for this year's second quarter, and she estimated that there will be a total of 29 million devices sold throughout the last three months once the final numbers come in. This is above other forecasts of 26.5 million, the source explained, and it could bring in $36 billion in revenue for the tech giant. The news provider noted that Huberty garnered her estimates after studying demand data and other expectations.

Leveraging the mobile influx
These findings may not come as a shock for many, but for retailers, the information should be enough for them to get a jumpstart on their mobile strategies or improve upon their existing methods. There are many ways to do this, and Goshen News offered some suggestions for merchants that want to ensure they are fully leveraging mobile technology to boost their operations.

Because mobile commerce is and will become more of a "common consumer practice," the news provider recommended that merchants first determine which features and capabilities their mobile-optimized sites should have. This can be done by asking patrons what they want to access from their mobile phones to make the shopping experience more streamlined and enjoyable. Getting the word out about mobile offerings can be done by word of mouth in stores, through emails and even advertisements if retailers choose to go that route, the source noted.

And of course, implementing mobile point of sale solutions is perhaps one of the best ways to make sure that customers can use their devices to shop as they want, helping to increase loyalty.

Ecommerce is now a staple within the retail industry – most merchants currently operate an online platform to cater to Web consumers, and those that do not have plans to do so in the near future. As shoppers now prefer to browse for and purchase items online, it only makes sense that ecommerce is set to expand significantly in the coming years.

Retailer Customer Experience reported that, according to a study by Frost & Sullivan, Internet retail sales will reach $4.3 trillion worldwide in 2025. This represents 20 percent of all total retail. In more developed markets where online shopping is more prevalent, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the research revealed that ecommerce will account for 25 percent of all retail sales.

"The proliferation of connected devices and the availability of faster Internet speeds have catalyzed a change in shopping behavior and fuelled market expansion," said Frost & Sullivan Visionary Innovation Research Group Analyst Archana Vidyasekar.

So what can merchants do to capitalize on this ecommerce growth? Perhaps one of the best strategies is to invest in a retail management software platform that oversees all operations and gives businesses the necessary insight into their online processes. This way, retailers will be able to develop the most effective methods for boosting their ecommerce sales.