Online Retail Sales Grew in 2005
Internet spending for 2005 gained 22 percent over 2004 spending. Data released by comScore Networks finds total Internet spending, including travel, hit $143.2 billion in 2005.
An estimated 6 percent of all non-travel consumer retail spending (excluding expenditures for autos, gasoline, and food) is spent online, according to the research firm. Of the total online spending, $82.3 billion was spent on non-travel retail and $60.9 billion was spent on travel.
| Online Consumer Spending, 2004 and 2005 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 ($B) | 2005 ($B) | Change (%) | |
| Holiday Season (November and December) | |||
| Non-travel (retail) | 15.7 | 19.6 | 25 |
| Travel | 7.4 | 8.6 | 16 |
| Total | 23.1 | 28.2 | 22 |
| Full Year | |||
| Non-travel (retail) | 66.5 | 82.3 | 24 |
| Travel | 50.7 | 60.9 | 20 |
| Total | 117.2 | 143.2 | 22 |
| Note: Spending excludes auctions and large corporate purchases. | |||
| Source: comScoure, 2006 | |||
Apparel and accessories was one of the fastest-growing categories, with a 36 percent gain over 2004 totals, accounting for $12.2 billion in sales. Computer software, excluding PC games, also spiked 36 percent over the previous year.
| Selected Product Categories' Sales Growth, 2004 and 2005 (%) | |
|---|---|
| Growth | |
| Apparel and accessories | 36 |
| Computer software (excludes PC games) | 36 |
| Home and garden | 32 |
| Toys and hobbies | 32 |
| Jewelry and watches | 27 |
| Event tickets | 26 |
| Furniture | 24 |
| Flowers, greetings, and gifts | 23 |
| Notes: 1. Sales exclude auctions and large corporate purchases. 2. Sales are non-travel online comsumer spending. | |
| Source: comScore, 2006 | |
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| Click on graphic to view chart |
Total online sales for the 2005 holiday season reached $19.6 billion for non-travel retail. This is a 25 percent increase over the same period in 2004.
ComScore data are taken from a global panel of more than 2 million consumers. The research firm obtains explicit permission to confidentially capture the browsing and transaction behavior, including on- and offline purchasing.
