Latest Stats for the statisticians amongst us

58% of Americans now report that they perform online research concerning the products and services that they are considering purchasing. That is an increase from 49% vs. 2004.
The number of those who do research about products on any given day has jumped from 15% of adults in Sept 2007 to 21% in Sept 2010.
24% of American adults say they have posted comments or reviews online about the product or services they buy.
"Many Americans begin their purchasing experience by doing online research to compare prices, quality, and the reviews of other shoppers” 
“Even if they end up making their purchase in a store, they start their fact-finding and decision-making on the internet.” says Jim Jansen, Senior Fellow at the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project and author of a new report about online product research.
Find full report here