The increasing influence of eCommerce
The Internet will account for 25% of all retail sales by 2009.
In 2006 UK sales made on-line, together with those made on the high street or through a contact centre after products had been researched on-line, amounted to £80 billion. Online sales are expected to increase by 40% in 2007 and in only two years' time the Internet will be responsible for a full quarter of all retail sales.
As long ago as May 2006 the BBC closed down its eCommerce index stating:
Closing down the eCommerce section doesn't mean we will report any less about how new technology is changing our lives.
But eCommerce has long outgrown its little ghetto as a sub-section of the Business index.
eCommerce is everywhere.
The American story.
Online retail was up 24 percent for the full year of 2006. Data released by comScore Networks details spending for the full year and holiday season.
Sales at eCommerce sites in 2006 reached $102.1 billion, a 24 percent increase over 2005 sales. The previous year's sales totalled $82.3 billion; 2006 was the first year figures exceeded $100 billion.