As we have reported before (click here, for example), online retailing has become a leading distribution channel worldwide; and we are now seeing a dramatic shift in the volume of online shopping regionally. From $1.06 trillion in 2012, global B2C sales are expected to reach $2.35 trillion in 2017. 

Consider these observations from eMarketer:

“Worldwide business-to-consumer E-commerce sales will increase by 20.1% this year to reach $1.500 trillion. Growth will come primarily from the rapidly expanding online and mobile user bases in emerging markets, increases in M-commerce sales, advancing shipping and payment options, and the push into new international markets by major brands.”

“In 2014, for the first time, consumers in Asia-Pacific will spend more on E-commerce purchases than those in North America, making it the largest regional E-commerce market in the world. This year alone, B2C E-commerce sales are expected to reach $525.2 billion in the region, compared with $482.6 billion in North America.”

Click the eMarketer chart to learn more.