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.

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.

It's not a trend that took retailers by surprise – ecommerce has steadily made its way to the forefront of the industry as consumers have gone online in increasing numbers to research, compare and purchase products. For many merchants, this shopping preference was taken in stride, and companies adopted solutions and strategies to accommodate their Internet customers. For some brands, however, the move to the web has not been fully embraced, and these companies risk losing out on valuable business and customer retention. Fortunately, with the right solutions and enough dedication, merchants can get their operations online and running, giving them ability to be at the forefront of the industry and perhaps even outlast their competitors.

E-commerce continues to grow
Internet Retailer reported that research from eMarketer revealed that e-commerce is expected to continue to expand significantly across the globe in the coming years. This certainly isn't a surprise given the strong emergence of the channel in the recent past, but the estimated figures are good information that retailers may want to know. In the United States alone, the study predicts that online shopping will account for $395.28 billion in sales by the end of this year. That represents a 12.4 percent jump from ecommerce sales seen in 2012, the source noted.

On a global scale, eMarketer forecasts that Internet purchases will reach $1.86 trillion by 2016. Over the next two years, ecommerce will continue to strengthen, but it could see a slight slowdown in 2015 and 2016, the source explained. However, this small potential decrease will not hinder retailers' ecommerce strategies, especially as several regions across the world will experience an uptick in online shopping. These include China, the United Kingdom and Germany, among other nations.

Merchants must embrace ecommerce
As consumers throughout the world increasingly go online to browse for and purchase items from merchants, companies will need to adapt to this change and implement solutions that help them accommodate Internet shoppers, Business 2 Community reported. This not only includes having a strong online presence through a website and social media channels, but merchants should also consider integrating retail management software and point of sale systems that can accept and process payments made through the Internet. Adopting this technology is one of the best ways to cater to online consumers to boost retention, loyalty and revenues.

When in brick-and-mortar locations, retailers often engage shoppers through face-to-face interactions and in-store deals. Now, as individuals are increasingly taking to the Internet to browse for and purchase items from their favorite brands, merchants need to consider how they can provide exceptional experiences through the Web.

A recent study by UPS revealed that people are now preferring to reach out to merchants through online channels, THonline reported. To keep customers coming back, these companies need to consider developing a great online experience for patrons. The research found that seven out of 10 shoppers go to the Internet to find the products they want from their favorite retailers.

So just how can brands create great experiences for their shoppers that go online? CMS Wire suggested that companies ensure their employees are committed to providing effective service and are able to successfully resolve issues. In addition, the source noted that merchants should offer fast responses to customers who reach out through the Internet. This lets patrons know their issues are important and their business is valued. Retailers can also implement management software to keep track of problems and ensure improvements are made.

In Europe, there are a variety of different languages, cultures, traditions and more that come from the many countries located throughout the continent. And it seems as though these nations vary on another factor – ecommerce. Retailers in several European nations are seeing more success with the web platforms that merchants located in other regions.

Internet Retailer reported that unlike the United States, where businesses can develop their online shopping options to fit the needs of all Americans, those in Europe have to deal with the different wants and needs of consumers living in various countries if they hope to boost their sales.

"Europe is a loose collection of collaborating countries with different languages, laws, customer behaviors, cultures, payment preferences and currencies," Forrester Research Inc. Principal Analyst Martin Gill told the source. "There are big windows of opportunity for any online retailer that can bridge these gaps and develop universal e-commerce."

For European merchants that want to accommodate consumers in their own region and those in other nations, POS solutions and retail management software can give companies the tools they need to retain customer and build loyalty.

Mobile commerce has been a channel that has quickly gained popularity over the past few years ever since smartphones and tablets hit the market. Now, some retailers are taking notice and are adopting point of sale solutions that can accommodate consumers who prefer to get their shopping done through their mobile devices.

While a number of merchants have implemented these POS systems, more attention needs to the brought to the channel, especially as customers are now expecting it both in stores and online. For example, Internet Retailer reports that research from IMRG and Capgemini revealed that in the United Kingdom, one out of every five purchases made on the web is through a mobile device. The study found that mobile commerce has increased significantly over the past few years, with total retail sales on smartphones and tablets jumping from 0.9 percent in 2010 to 12 percent last year. These figures highlight the growing importance of mobile devices within the industry, and merchants need to act now to ensure they can retain existing mobile shoppers and attract new ones.

However, businesses should first start by choosing a flexible and customizable point of sale solution that can fit both their needs and those of their patrons. Having this system in place creates a strong foundation for any mobile strategy.

When shopping online, consumers enjoy the convenience, fast processing times and easy delivery that ecommerce provides. Now, many individuals are bringing their mobile devices into the mix by browsing for and purchasing items through smartphones and tablets. For retailers, this means that mobile optimized websites and applications are requiring more focus and attention.

Internet Retailer reports that research from Arbitron Mobile revealed that customers are increasingly using merchants' mobile applications to buy products. The study found that more than half of American consumers who own a smartphone (55.9 percent) accessed a mobile commerce app in March. These shoppers spent an average of 91 minutes using the apps throughout the month. The source also discovered that mobile commerce is more popular overseas, as 66.8 percent of consumers in the United Kingdom utilized applications in March. Time spent on their smartphones and tablets came in at an average of 134.8 minutes,.

Although applications are growing in popularity, mobile websites are still as important as ever. For this reason, merchants need to determine which channel their patrons prefer and focus on optimizing those elements to the best of their ability. In addition, having an effective retail management software solution can help businesses successfully oversee both apps and websites for smartphones and tablets.

Retailers around the globe know how important ecommerce is for their businesses, but some may think that it could be a fleeting trend, meaning that merchants are not investing in solutions that meet consumers' online shopping needs. However, ecommerce is poised for even more growth in the future, and failing to implement systems that accommodate online patrons could spell disaster for companies.

As internet shopping continues to become more popular among customers, both through computers and mobile devices, merchants need to ensure they are adopting the right retail management software solutions that can provide consumers with excellent online experiences, helping to boost businesses' retention rates and bottom lines.

Q1 sees significant ecommerce increase
Over the past few years, retailers have seen large jumps in ecommerce within their operations, as shoppers have taken to the web to browse for and purchase products. Statistics from many organizations have highlighted this growth, including recent data from the U.S. Commerce Department. Internet Retailer states that the research from the federal agency revealed that online shopping during this year's first quarter increased 15.3 percent from the same time last year, representing a total of $58 billion spent through the web.

The source explains that these findings were generated from sales made on both computers and mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Mobile ecommerce is making its way to the forefront of the retail industry, as many consumers now prefer to use their devices to research and buy items from merchants. This practice is even found within brick-and-mortar locations, as smartphone-carrying shoppers are using gadgets to pay for merchandise at storefronts.

Practical Ecommerce reports that the IBM Online Retail Index found that mobile commerce grew 31 percent during the first three months of the year when compared to the same time in 2012. This jump has been brought on by individuals' preference for multichannel sales, IBM discovered.

"The shopping experience has evolved. No longer can we look at shopping in silos, or in terms of in-store versus online. Instead, we have to consider the convergence of these channels, as the digital consumer demands a truly digital experience," said IBM Global Retail Leader Jill Puleri, as quoted by the source.

To help meet customers' needs when it comes to online and mobile shopping, merchants should adopt retail management software platforms that can effectively control point of sales processes, sales orders and many other operational factors.

With the variety of applications, features and capabilities of mobile devices these days, it's no surprise that consumers are using smartphones and tablets for various tasks. Whether it's managing their personal finances, keeping up with work-related duties or staying in touch with others, these gadgets have made daily life just a little bit easier for individuals who own them. These devices are quickly making their way into the retail realm as well, and consumers are increasingly using smartphones and tablets for shopping purposes, both in stores and on merchants' websites.

If companies want to ensure they are able to accommodate patrons who prefer using their mobile devices when browsing for and purchasing products, making the move now to implement solutions will give retailers the chance to satisfy existing customers and capture new business. But first, merchants need to understand the role that mobile commerce is playing in the industry and what the average mobile consumer is like.

Devices taking up ecommerce
According to a recent study by comScore, the first quarter of 2013 saw significant growth in terms of U.S. ecommerce. The research revealed that there was a total of $50.2 billion spent online during the first three months of this year, representing a 13 percent increase from the same time in 2012. ComScore also discovered that although desktop and laptop computers made up slightly more than half of those purchases, 48 percent were done from mobile devices, with 34 percent on smartphones and 14 percent on tablets. Analysts anticipate the use of mobile gadgets for web shopping will continue to grow in the coming years.

What is the average mobile shopper like?
So now that retailers know how increasingly important mobile commerce is becoming within their industry, next they need to fully understand what the average mobile consumer is like so they can incorporate solutions that fit customers' needs. Internet Retailer reports that a study by Forrester Research revealed the mobile devices owners are mainly using their gadgets to browse for and compare products, then opting to either purchase merchandise in stores or online.

In addition, Forrester found that when it comes to shopping through their mobile devices, consumers prefer to access companies' websites that are optimized for smaller screens rather than utilize a mobile application.

So what does this mean for retailers? It means they should act now to ensure their web platforms are easy to use on devices and also that they offer point of sale systems that can accept mobile payments, among other forms.

Shopping online provides consumers with many advantages, including more convenience, easier product comparison and fast transaction processing. These are just some of the reasons why a number of people prefer to browse for and purchase merchandise online, and mobile devices are making web shopping even better.

Internet Retailer reports that according to recent research from comScore, customers increasingly took to their computers during 2013's first quarter to buy products. The study revealed that throughout the first three months of this year, consumers spent a total of $5.9 billion online, representing a 13 percent jump from the same time in 2012. For the first time, comScore also looked at how individuals used their mobile devices to conduct their internet shopping. The research found that $5.9 billion was spent through smartphones and tablets in the first quarter. Analysts expect this amount will continue to rise in the future, the source notes.

Although ecommerce will most likely grow significantly over the coming months and years, consumers still like to visit retailers' brick-and-mortar locations to find and buy the items they want. To accommodate both groups of patrons, merchants can implement point of sale solutions that are able to process payments in-store, online and through mobile devices.