Boosting Automotive Digital Retailing Tech in 2021 Expedited by COVID-19, the automotive retail ecosystem is undergoing its own shift toward a more consumer-friendly model that promises to mimic the convenience of online shopping found in many of today’s popular internet retail portals. Rusty West | Jan 22, 2021 It is an understatement to say the world has been turned on to online shopping and digital retailing. According to Adobe Analytics, during the 2020 Black Friday event, online sales increased 22% over the previous year. What’s more, the National Retail Federation expected this year’s online holiday sales totals would increase 20% and reach $202 billion. The automotive industry is experiencing this same phenomenon, much of it fueled by the shelter-in-place orders associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.