The expansion of the internet has considerably contributed to the transformation of trade and store transactions. E-commerce, or electronic commerce, largely means buying and/or selling products through the internet and is commonly associated with online shopping. E-commerce also makes use of regular technological maintenance to ensure the smooth functioning of online store sites, monetary transactions, as well as everything to do with providing and delivering products. E-commerce statistics regarding the revenue of e-commerce retailers in the United States confirm the explosive pace at which this industry has developed.

According to e-commerce statistics from 2009 to 2012, the number of online buyers in the United States has only been rising: from 132 million to more than 154 million. Forecasts predict more than 170 million people in the United States alone will be buying products online by 2015. China outstrips the United States in terms of online buyers, according to e-commerce statistics on the annual growth rate of China's e-commerce market, with more than 193 million people having made purchases over the internet in 2011.

The United States has the highest internet penetration rate by region, so it’s not surprising that many studies regarding developments and trends in e-commerce focus on this country. A survey on the average monthly unique visitors of the most popular retail websites in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2011 reveals more exciting figures from statistics about e-commerce. Amazon sites had more than 94 million unique visitors, Apple.com had about 38 million and Wal-Mart was in third place with about 34 million.

U.S. mobile commerce growth is another exciting trend to watch in terms of e-commerce statistics, considering, for example, the popularity and widespread use of smartphones. Mobile commerce revenue in 2011 amounted to 6 billion U.S. dollars. This type of e-commerce includes mobile media and content, retail services, travel purchases and various other services. By 2016, mobile commerce revenue is expected to reach 31 billion U.S. dollars.

Considering the number of U.S. online shoppers, it would seem that e-commerce customers are largely satisfied with their e-commerce experience. Indeed, e-commerce statistics mostly confirm this. With the obvious advantages that e-commerce offers both for consumers and entrepreneurs, this is definitely one business branch to watch. Photo: istockphoto.com / alexsl