• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, November 21, 2006

comScore Networks recently reported that, In the third quarter of this year, online non-travel ("retail") spending increased to $23.1 billion (up 23 percent), while travel spending, despite a slowing growth rate, reached $18.2 billion (up 9 percent). Overall, total online spending by consumers reached $41.3 billion in the third quarter, representing a 16-percent increase versus the same period in 2005.

Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases

While total non-travel spending rose 23 percent, some retail categories far outperformed the average, including Consumer Electronics (excluding PC Peripherals), which rose 42 percent and Apparel & Accessories, up 32 percent versus the same quarter last year.

Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases

Through the first three quarters of 2006, total e-commerce spending rose 19 percent versus last year, buoyed by a 24 percent increase in non-travel spending to $69.1 billion. Online travel spending increased 13 percent.

Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases

Overall, comScore currently forecasts that total consumer online spending in 2006 should reach approximately $170 billion. Of that total, comScore estimates that non-travel e-commerce will break the $100 billion threshold for the first time.

Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore Networks, said "Online consumer spending at U.S. sites... remains strong. With year-over-year growth rates in U.S. online non-travel spending at about 23 percent in the third quarter, the Web continues... as one of the important drivers of retail sales growth."

The complete release may be found here.