The holiday shopping season is almost here, and retailers are getting ready for another big sales year. Shoppers are known to be going into the physical stores to make their gift purchases, yet it is likely what will have a big year will be sale online. Shop.org has released some new information regarding the online holiday season, and their forecasts suggest this will probably be the greatest year for e-retailers.

Internet Retailer reported that Shop.org has released some headline forecasts that e-retail sales will increase between 13% and 15% this year. Holiday web sales are expected to reach $82 billion in November and December as well. Shop.org is the e-commerce arm of the well-known National Retail Federation (NRF). The NRF estimates the total US retail sales for the two major holiday months will increase 6.9% from 2012 to $602.1 billion. These are impressive numbers for the holiday season, especially in regards to slow-growth economy.

Other market research firms weighed in on this year’s online shopping forecasts. EMarketer stated in the report it projects US holiday e-retail sales will increase 15.1% this year in comparison to 2012. Deloitte LLP stated it expects US non-store sales will jump 12.5% to 13%. Shop.org was able to produce these its’ projections based on governmental data. The data types included account consumer confidence, monthly retail sales increases, disposable personal income, and other factors. Online retail has consistently grown 16% overall in recent years, and it appears 2013 will be no different.

The growth of technology usage will have a great impact on this year’s holiday shopping as well. Matthew Shay, NRF President and CEO, stated in the report, “Online and mobile continue to be a leading area of growth for retailers. In this economy savvy, cost-conscious consumers go to the web to do their research and get the best bang for their buck. In addition to researching what their peers are saying online about products and gifts this holiday season, consumers will use the buy online, pick-up in store option, retailers’ apps and mobile websites to find something special for their loved ones.”

There will be shorter time frames this holiday season between holidays than last year. There will only be 25 shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, versus 31 days in 2012. Also, consumers will have only four full weekends versus five last year to shop. This will more than likely steer shoppers to be focused and utilize mobile retail to make the purchases they are looking for. E-retailers are gearing up to use same-day delivery for online sales as well.

With the holiday sales growth expected to occur, e-retailers can partner with Same-Day Couriers like A-1 Express to create new innovative ways to meet their online demand. A-1 Express can deliver their customers’ online purchases right their doorsteps within hours. The Chicago Courier also has a national footprint, enabling the company to be a one-stop courier for any e-retailer. At the pace e-retail is going, orders will have to be fulfilled quickly and effectively, which A-1 Express has the courier expertise to develop a sound same-day delivery solution.

Reference: 10.3.13, Internet Retailer,Thad Reuter, E-retail could jump 15% this holiday season