Forrester research indicates that, by the end of 2011, Americans will spend around $200 billion in online purchases. They also predict that by the year 2015, U.S. retail sales will well surpass the $275 billion mark. This growth in ecommerce is being attributed to existing shoppers pushing their online shopping boundaries by purchasing more items off the World Wide Web like home appliances and furniture in addition to increasing spending in traditionally popular online shopping categories such as books and media. Also driving the numbers are consumers who are turning to the internet as a shopping resource for the very first time.

Print magazine publishers are looking to be a part of this dynamic and rapidly expanding online retail marketplace. By partnering with various online retail sites, popular discount magazines which are available as low cost, promotional subscriptions and have over the years cultivated a loyal readership base, will be able to avail their readers of opportunities to buy items featured within their publications via online sales portals.

Magazine aficionados who hold their magazine subscriptions dear will find the explorations being made by publishers to harmonize print magazine content with online retail sites advantageous. Magazine lovers need not renounce their love for the printed periodical but can use it instead as a trusted guide to chaperone them through their online shopping experience. Magazines and cheap magazine subscriptions will become especially invaluable tools for all consumers who feel intimidated when purchasing items from the internet or who have heretofore felt reluctant to shop online.

In recent years, many publications have shifted their focus from print to digital magazines, in some cases completely revamping their online presence. While some have found great success in the switch, making the entire magazine available online, while others have struggled to get footholds in the online arena opting to only post specific content from the current issue. In either case, the content is usually free, which leads to the other problem: whether or not online magazines are profitable from a business standpoint. The primary reason for this trepidation is that the internet is still considered an unstable marketing tool.

Magazine lovers however can enjoy a choice of online or print magazines and save on annual subscriptions, sometimes getting a whole year’s worth of magazines for the cost of just two or three at stand prices.