e-commerce – business transactions carried out electronically on the internet

(Pronounced ee ko-murs)

The easiest way to remember the meaning of e-commerce is to split it up. 

E = Electronic/ through the medium of the internet (the same as in e-mail).

Commerce = The activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale. 

So, e-commerce = The activity of buying and selling electronically through the internet. 

E-commerce has seen huge developments in the past two decades, with increased selection and convenience driving demand.

Many companies such as Amazon and ASOS operate an online e-commerce focused business model, and by doing so can avoid the costs incurred by having physical ‘brick and mortar’ locations on the high street.