Retail Ecommerce

Retail ecommerce refers to the selling of goods to end users via the Internet. Also know as e-tailing, retail ecommerce has grown to encompass a wide variety of goods and services including leisure travel, videos, books, computers, and automobiles. In the 3rd quarter of 2008 alone for instance, estimated total online retail sales of the US were $30 billion.

Most often, e-tailers rely on intermediaries such as FedEx and UPS for delivery of physical goods. Many online retail merchants like Barnes and Noble still follow the "click and mortar" strategy, which integrates online and offline store. With click and mortar, purchases can be initiated and finalized either online or at the physical store.

The growth of retail ecommerce in its early days was arrested by fears of fraudulent activities and scams. Improved security technology, however, has increased the confidence of millions of consumers worldwide in making online purchases.

Convenience of shopping is one of the main appeals of retail ecommerce. Searching for an item is easy without having to drive to and run from store to store. Sites like Pricegrabber can even sort out dozens of online shops to get the best deals for consumers.

With e-tailers paying no overhead costs and storefront property rentals and paying minimal or no labor costs, shopping for online goods could mean real savings for consumers.