According to an article on NMA, online retail sales increased by 22% over the past year.

The results from IMRG Capdemini e-retail Sales Index showed that online sales saw a total spend of £4.5 bn in May (the equivalent of £73 for every person in the UK).

It seems that consumers are feeling increasingly comfortable with buying goods online and are happy to minimise the time and energy spent shopping in the high street.

Even fashion (which has been difficult to shift online because consumers still like to try before they buy) has seen an increase in sales of 32%. In part, this increase has been facilitated by new technologies which help customers to see the product up close and work out what size will fit their body shape.

At Reflow.TV we believe video is a great way for users to try before they buy; they can see how the product works and work out whether it’s suitable for their needs (see KnickerPicker and Dell).

If you think about it, its not just Knickers that benefit from a bit of online video. You could show off any product online from shoes to cars or even hotels. Imagine being able to take a virtual tour of your hotel room before you got there. Or being able to watch an online demonstration of how to put together the wardrobe you purchased at the furniture store. Definitely better than the paper instructions that you usually get!

Add this to the fact that online video is great for SEO and the advantages of making your video embeddable and you have to wonder why everyone doesn’t have a bit of video on their website?!