Sales via the Web continue to increase, according to a preliminary report released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which indicates that first quarter online retail sales increased 23.8 percent to
$19.8 billion from $16 billion a year ago. During the first quarter, e-commerce sales also rose 6.4 percent from the fourth quarter.
The department's report shows that e-commerce represents 2.2
percent of total retail sales in the first quarter.