• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, August 9, 2007

Video Games Driving E-Commerce

A recent release by comScore on U.S. e-commerce spending for the second quarter of 2007 showed that retail e-commerce grew 23 percent versus year ago to $27.2 billion, while online travel spending increased 14 percent to $20.3 billion.  Total U.S. e-commerce spending climbed to $47.5 billion during the period.

The top-gaining e-commerce category in Q2 versus year ago was video games, consoles & accessories, which jumped 159 percent on the strength of Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3 sales.  Sport & fitness also saw substantial gains (up 58 percent), followed by consumer electronics (up 51 percent) and event tickets (up 44 percent).

Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore, said "Retail e-commerce rebounded solidly in the second quarter... matching the growth rates we've seen during the past couple of years."

Total U.S. online consumer spending reached $170.8 billion in 2006, with non-travel spending accounting for $102.1 billion and travel spending accounting for $68.8 billion.

"Even factoring in the moderate growth rates from Q1, we're currently on pace to break $200 billion in e-commerce spending in 2007," continued Mr. Fulgoni.  "However, in the past we've seen growth rates accelerate as the year progresses, culminating with the online holiday shopping season, so $200 billion may actually turn out to be a conservative estimate."

For additional information, please visit ComScore here.