• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, February 8, 2006

comScore Networks released year-to-date consumer spending figures, which showed that online non-travel spending is up 33 percent for the first three weeks in January 2006 versus corresponding days in 2005. 

Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore Networks, said  "The 2006 year opened on a strong note, with solid growth... in online non-travel sales.... It's clear based on what we're seeing so far in 2006 that the strength in online sales will not wane anytime soon."

Online non-travel spending during this time period (January 1 - 20, 2006) totaled $5.5 billion, representing a 33-percent increase over the $4.1 billion posted during the corresponding period in 2005.  Online travel spending generated an additional $3.5 billion during the first three weeks of 2006, up 8 percent versus corresponding days in 2005. 

 The growth in 2006 online consumer spending follows a year of solid gains, the report says. Total online spending for the full year 2005, including travel, reached $143.2 billion, up 22 percent over 2004.  Online non-travel spending in 2005 accounted for $82.3 billion, an increase of 24 percent over 2004 levels. 

 An analysis of sales growth for select product categories revealed that Event Tickets was one of the fastest growing categories in January, surging 50 percent above corresponding days in 2005. Consumer Electronics were also up strongly. 

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