The Next Growth Pillar in U.S. Retail: Cross-Border E-Commerce

We live in a global marketplace - a global marketplace where e-commerce is the fastest growing retail channel out there. So we shouldn't be surprised that cross-border e-commerce is the latest burgeoning trend. U.S. retailers are starting to take notice that there are two billion internet users outside the U.S. and that 60% of the global e-commerce sales volume is also coming from outside the U.S.

In fact, it's estimated that about 6% of the $135B in U.S. e-commerce in 2009 came from international consumers - and by 2015, this figure will get as high as 8-9%, far outpacing the growth of normal e-commerce. So, if you're a retailer, why not open up the floodgates and let international sales pour in? Inevitably, it's the Stroop's opinion that cross-border e-commerce will become retail's next significant growth pillar.

Not surprisingly, there are a host of solutions out there that enable U.S. retailers to sell internationally:

- Pitney Bowes
- BorderJump
- FiftyOne
- Bongo
- International Checkout
- Access Technology Solutions

But which is the best? Well, as in anything, it really depends on what you're looking for. Each solution has its benefits. To find out my true opinion, email me at thestroop@gmail.com.