Rise of tablets signals new era of shopping

Online shopping has seen significant growth in the past decade, as consumers have shown an interest in purchasing items without having to leave home. This trend has been accelerated with the introduction of tablet computers, which are proving to be favored tools among online shoppers.

According to a study from Forrester Research, more than half of surveyed tablet owners say they use their mobile devices for shopping. With a large screen and intuitive navigation functions, the tablet tends to make it easier for shoppers to make purchasing decisions.

However, the rise of tablet technology may be pulling people away from traditional retailers, many of which have not responded to the growing trend of online shopping. Although visiting brick-and-mortar stores is still by far the most popular way to shop, companies that fail to embrace the trend toward online shopping may be missing out on potentially significant business.

Having an online retail presence enables a company to connect with virtually anyone in the world, greatly expanding its reach to new clients. Additionally, many companies today are simply forgoing the brick-and-mortar store all together, realizing they can cut costs by eliminating the needs for store upkeep and a large sales force.

According to a study from research firm the Boston Consulting Group, US online shoppers will spend an average of $1,000 per year by 2016. By improving their online storefronts, businesses may be able to leverage this audience and generate more revenue.