Want to get into online retailing? Have a look at the Zeitgeist

I can’t help but think I should have an online retail site. It just seems to be such an opportunity to get into a line of business that can add further dimension to what I do, or anyone does.

Checking out what sells the most online, raised some interesting finds.

Based on Forrester Research release in January this year, 8% of all retail sales in the USA come via the online channel. Australia, according to the ABS recorded a 1.7% to 1.9% share with $2.738 billion in online sales between March and September for 2013.

The National Australia Bank’s online retail sales index recorded total online retail spending for the 12 months to November of $14.6 billion. Online sales now make up 6.4% of total retail spend.

Software, books, music and flowers dominate in market share by value. But the best-selling product category is still women’s apparel. Have a look at the full list at Statistic Brain.

Google unveiled the most searched for fashion brands and apparel in its Google Zeitgeist. Zeitgeist is a good tool to check out lots of key trends from the search giant.

Most searched high fashion brands:

1. Versace

2. Michael Kors

3. Diesel Black Gold

4. Gucci

5. Kate Spade

6. Rachel Zoe

7. Prabal Gurung

8. Givenchy

9. Mulberry

10. Luca Luca

Most searched retailer and apparel brands:

1. Kohl’s

2. JCPenney

3. Nordstrom

4. Forever

5. Victoria’s Secret

6. Old Navy

7. Macy’s

8. American Eagle

9. Nike

10. Dillard’s

In Australia most searched retailers:

1. ASOS

2. Myer

3. David Jones

4. Country Road

5. Forever New

6. The Iconic

7. Cotton On

8. Witchery

9. Boohoo

10. Ozsale

In terms of e-commerce, it appears women’s apparel and books followed by software are the things to sell online.

Time magazine published data from Mercent of what consumers were buying the most in the USA in the holidays. The best-selling products were a surprise in comparison to the data above.

1. HP’s 15.6 Quadcore Laptop with 8GB RAM, 750 GB Hard Drive

2. The North Face Osito Fleece Jacket

3. Flips Audio Headphone/Speaker Hybrid, a cool little gadget

4. Razor Crazy Cart – a battery powered go-cart that goes up to 12mph

5. GoPro Hero + Black Edition

6. Beats by Dr Dre Pill Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

7. Fitbit Force Wireless Activity and Sleep Wristband

So not much apparel in the holiday season, but gadget crazy!