Not only are online shoppers spending more online, they are buying more different types of goods. Consumers are now buying big-ticket items on the Internet like refrigerators and treadmills, and even luxury goods such as designer apparel and jewelry. This opens new possibilities for creative Web retailers.

eMarketer estimates that retail e-commerce sales will increase an average 18.6% per year between 2005 and 2009 — that’s strong growth, but still a downturn from the 26% annual rate seen between 2001 and 2005. It is not a cause for concern, however, but a sign of a maturing e-commerce marketplace. Still, exciting developments are taking place on the market’s edge, where small Web retailers are emerging to meet the needs of shoppers with special needs and interests.

The E-Commerce market is noted for its ability to innovate and stay on the cutting edge of user needs to stay ahead in the marketplace and continue to experiment with new technologies to maintain their competitive edge. Embedding zoom-in capabilities, adding streaming video and providing live chat are among the tools and technologies online retailers view as their investment priorities for the next year, according to a report from research firm Forrester and the e-commerce trade group shop.org.

Baseline magazine summarizes the Forrester report in a recent article, by showing the top ten tool and technologies that online retailers are viewing as most important processes to enhance on their web sites.

What ever industry you are in, you should take a queue from the retail market online and make sure that applicable tools and technologies are being considered for your next enhancement project.