As a baby boomer, I’ve never been a big online shopper. However, I did purchase a few items online this holiday season and was surprised at how easy it was. I capitalized on sales offers, didn’t have to look for parking or contend with crowded malls, and the items were shipped right to my home, saving me time, gas and aggravation.

It looks like I’m not alone in this pursuit, as eCommerce continues to gain ground for consumer packaged goods (CPG). Last year, more than 50 percent of time spent on the web was spent on mobile devices, while mobile purchases reached about 30 percent of total eCommerce, according to Statista, which notes that mobile app store revenues worldwide are projected to grow to $76.5 billion by 2017.

Although I made my first online purchases using a desktop computer, just more than half of Americans, 51 percent, are using their smartphones and mobile apps compared with the 42 percent who are using a desktop, Statista adds.

While researching for my article on mobile shopping apps (page 59), I learned about online market research and the myriad companies that analyze data, predict new trends and manufacture apps. For example, Drizly, the alcohol-delivery service, uses its The Joy of Drinking app to provide legal-age consumers on-demand delivery of beer, wine and liquor — in less than an hour. Other apps are designed to help consumers stay hydrated or track the amount of alcohol consumed.

Like many, I will continue to shop much of the time at brick-and-mortar stores, but the growth of eCommerce, especially via mobile apps, likely will continue.