• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, July 30, 2002

Online consumer spending in the US grew by 41 percent in the second quarter of 2002 to reach $17.5 billion, compared to a year ago, according to comScore Media Metrix. During this period, online travel spending rose by 46 percent to $7.8 billion, while non-travel sales grew by 28 percent to reach $9.7 billion.

Computer hardware was the top selling non-travel product, with sales rises by 46 percent to $2.3 billion. Sales of office supplies were up 72 percent to $1.5 billion, while apparel and appliances were up 100 percent to $179 million.

Other successful product categories included furniture and appliances which were also up 100 percent to $179 million, home and garden products which were up 78 percent to $442 million and toys, which were up 50 percent to $114 million.

And, consumer online sales for the week ending July 14th, were equally impressive, according to the latest comScore Media Metrix report.

Consumer online sales in the US grew 10 percent to $1.4 billion for the week. Non-travel consumer online sales totaled $707 million, up five percent versus the prior three-week average and up 12 percent compared to the same week last year. Travel spending totaled $645 million, up 16 percent versus the prior three-week average and up 37 percent versus the same week last year.

You can find out more here and here.