comScore Networks today announced the results of the first complete review of consumer e-commerce for the year 2001, reporting that sales at domestic online
retailers surged to $53 billion for the year.
Excluding online Travel, comScore reports that sales totaled $33.7 billion, reflecting a growth rate of approximately 20% vs. the year 2000.
While in some ways the trend in online sales mirrored that seen in total retail, there were some notable exceptions. Signs of mid-year softness in non-Travel sales were offset by what was -- at the
time -- a strong period of growth in the online Travel sector.
Following September 11 (and the American Airlines crash of November 12), and as the holidays approached, the Travel sector entered a
slump from which it has not yet recovered; at the same time, the Internet became a channel of choice for consumers who sought to defend their quality of life and their budgets with the convenience and
price comparison benefits that the Internet offers.
"In July and August, online travel sales reached a fever pitch, fueled by consumer comfort with buying online, deep price discounts, and new
choices in online agencies," noted Dan Hess, comScore VP. "But after September 11th, the sector's sales fell dramatically, before beginning a slow recovery."
However, he said, data for the first
two weeks of January 2002 show a "strong resurgence in online travel spending. Needless to say, we'll be closely watching the category going forward."