E-Commerce Driving to 170 Billion This Year 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.
U.S. Online Consumer Spending (Billion $, Q3 2006 vs. Q3 2005) |
E-commerce Spending | Q3 (Jul - Sep) | Percent Change |
| 2005 | 2006 | |
Non-Travel
| $18.8 | $23.1
| 23% |
Travel | $16.8 |
$18.2 | 9% |
Total | $35.6 |
$41.3 | 16% |
Source: comScore Networks |
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.
Sales Growth for U.S. Non-Travel Online Consumer Spending (Select Retail Product Categories Q3 2006 vs. Q3 2005) |
Retail Category | Percent Change |
Consumer Electronics (Excl. PC Peripherals) | 42% |
Apparel &
Accessories | 32% |
Sport & Fitness | 29% |
Computer Software (Excl. PC Games) |
27% |
Event Tickets | 22% |
Source: comScore Networks |
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.
U.S. Online Consumer Spending (Billion $Q1-Q3 2006
vs. Q1-Q3 2005) |
| Jan - Sep | Percent Change |
| 2005 | 2006 | |
Non-Travel | $55.8
| $69.1 |
24% |
Travel |
$47.1 | $52.9 | 13% |
Total | $102.8 | $122.1 | 19% |
Source: comScore Networks |
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.