IMRG has announced the launch of a new open-access, fully interactive platform providing information about the global e-commerce market with features including a parcel delivery index.

The IMR Smart Knowledge Base was developed by the e-retail industry association in association with EMOTA.

Described as "the definitive resource for global e-commerce intelligence and data", the platform allows users to consult all sorts of information relating to the online experience in both a national and international context.

Retailers can get help with developing their own business strategies and also find out more about how the industry is evolving in different parts of the world.

The information in IMR Smart is divided into a number of categories, one of which features parcel delivery data and performance statistics sourced from more than 200 companies tracking 3.5 million items.

Other sections cover the growth of e-commerce markets in more than 60 countries, aggregated sales figures representing retailers across 16 groups and topics such as the significance of Facebook and mobile devices.

Introducing the new resource, IMRG said: "With an interactive database containing the most up-to-date and reliable data on global e-commerce, users of IMR Smart are able to build up an in-depth understanding of how different countries and regions are developing. [It also] provides invaluable support for retailers looking to progress their business strategies."

Some of the data on the platform comes from the industry association's own range of indexes and the rest has been compiled from different global sources.

IMRG said it had "worked very hard" to ensure that the content provided is accurate and timely, meaning users can be sure of the integrity of the information.

The resource can now be accessed for free online at theknowledgebase.imrg.org.

According to the latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, UK consumers spent £5.8 billion online in March, 14 per cent more than in the same month last year.

Author:  Paul Burn