Third Wave Fashion // FEBRUARY 2014 // THE GLOBAL ISSUE

SPECIAL FEATURE // INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE $1.5 trillion The Opportunity in Online Commerce e global online commerce market is estimated to be $1.5 Trillion this year, driven by growth from emerging markets. Market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC) has projected that global e-commerce sales for physical goods, like clothes and consumer electronics, will grow 18 percent annually on average over the next four years, which will outpace U.S. growth of 7 percent. Middle east growth is twice as fast as elsewhere - and luxury shoppers tend to pay spend twice as much. Online Chinese shoppers will double in the next few years. Currently, a third of US-based apparel companies have no plan for international expansion. We believe that our clients and readers in all countries should be taking a global view! // 17

Third Wave Fashion // FEBRUARY 2014 // THE GLOBAL ISSUE | Page 19