The total value of consumer-retail deals actually exceeded the value of internet and software M&A, combined, in 2013. In 2013, the consumer and retail market was about $91 billion according to PriceWaterhouseCooper.  The internet and software industries had a total of $55 billion in M&A for 2013.

This bodes well for growth companies in the consumer and retail space. It also bodes well for investors, whether they use an online investing platform or invest offline.