Online retail spending in the US increased 14 percent for the second quarter of 2011 versus the same period just one year ago. This is a continuation of the online spending trend. In fact, this is the seventh consecutive quarter in online sales growth.comScore, Inc., a publicly-traded company, measures online activities through its unique panel design. Their Q2 2011 e-commerce sales report indicates that online retail spending has reached $37.5 billion. According to Gian Fulgoni, chairman of ComScore, "it's clear that consumers are continuing to shift to the online channel, with almost $1 in every $10 of discretionary spending now occurring online."

The report also revealed that the growth was primarily a function of an increase in the number of buyers (up 16 percent) with 70 percent of all Internet users making at least one online purchase in the quarter.

This recent report is another indicator of the importance of an online presence. Consumers are looking online for information, but they're also making purchases. Due to recent advances in e-commerce technology, more and more brick-and-mortar stores are finding it feasible to move their offerings online. Through their online presence, store owners can showcase products by displaying quality photos and video demonstrations. Just another way to connect with their customers.