Rather than conducting a greater number of transactions online, many shoppers are spending more money per order less frequently, new research from Dydacomp suggests.

The Dydacomp SMB Index, prepared for Internet Retailer, suggests the number of online transactions has declined by 7 percent while simultaneously, total expenditures have grown by 4 percent. This data was compiled by observing more than 1.7 million orders per month at upward of 1,500 ecommerce retailers.

In particular, books, sporting goods and auto parts were the big gainers. Only tobacco and alcohol products are selling less often online.

"The index showed a slight decline in sales, 0.84 percent, last month compared with March 2011, while year-to-date sales through March increased 3.85 percent year over year," the news source added.

Online shopping has changed how many retail merchants conduct store operations. Now many brands are offering price matching initiatives to encourage shoppers to spend in-store rather than buying goods online.