Commentary

Poor Holiday Retail Sales Hit The Bricks While Internet Sales Surge

Poor Holiday Retail Sales Hit The Bricks While Internet Sales Surge

While 2002 is not over yet, a recent comScore report shows that online consumer sales (excluding auctions) are on track to post an estimated $74 billion for the year, reflecting growth of more than 39 percent versus 2001. This is particularly impressive, considering the fragile economy and one of the worst holiday retail seasons in recent memory.

comScore shows that among U.S. Internet users:

  • 53 percent believe the Internet is the easiest or most convenient way to shop.
  • 50 percent report that they like to try new things, so they use the Internet to shop.
  • 64 percent feel Internet shopping is a real time saver.
  • Jewelry was among the fastest growing product categories for online holiday shopping in 2002

    Online consumer sales totaled $1.9 billion, reflecting 19 percent growth versus the week before Christmas last year (week ending Dec. 21, 2001). Spending on non-travel goods and services increased 18 percent versus year-ago to $1.4 billion, while travel increased 21 percent to $474 million.

    While growth rates slowed in the final days of the holiday season, overall non-travel consumer spending in the fourth quarter is on track to fall within range of comScore's expectation of approximately $13.8 billion..

    “Following a robust holiday shopping season, fueled by aggressive and early promotions, online consumer sales are finally winding down,” said Michelle David Adams, comScore vice president. “While growth rates slowed somewhat more than expected in the most recent week, overall fourth-quarter growth rates are impressive and sales are on track to come within close range of comScore’s original fourth-quarter non-travel forecast of $13.8 billion.

    Cumulative consumer online sales for the period from Nov. 1 through Dec. 20, 2002 reached $12.6 billion, up 29 percent versus the same period last year. Non-travel sales increased 23 percent versus year-ago to $8.5 billion, while online travel sales increased 51 percent to $4.1 billion.

    Fastest Growing Major Non-Travel E-Commerce Categories ( Nov. 1, 2002 to Dec. 20 Versus Same Period Year-Ago and % change vs same period in 2001)

     Sales($ Millions) % Change
    Home & Garden$55578%
    Furniture & Appliances171 75%
    Toys396 61%
    Sport & Fitness233 54%
    Jewelry & Watches216 45%
    Movies & Video205 36%
    Apparel & Accessories1,455 31%
    Video Games130 24%
    Consumer Electronics1,027 21%
    Event Tickets25016%
    Source: comScore Networks

    Largest Major Non-Travel E-Commerce Categories ( Nov. 1, 2002 to Dec. 20 Versus Same Period Year-Ago and % change vs same period in 2001)

    Sales ($ Millions)% Change
    Computer Hardware$1,630-1%
    Apparel & Accessories1,455 31%
    Consumer Electronics1,027 21%
    Office576 -18%
    Home & Garden555 78%
    Books397 8%
    Toys39661%
    Event Tickets250 16%
    Sport & Fitness233 54%
    Jewelry & Watches216 45%
    Source: comScore Networks

    You can find out more here.

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    About the Author

    Jack Loechner is the Editor of The Center for Media Research's daily Research Brief. You can reach him at jack@mediapost.com.