E-Retail Spending Jumps 15 Percent in 2012
Online U.S. shoppers spent $186.2 billion in 2012 for a year-over-year gain of 15 percent, according to comScore. The firm estimates that e-retail sales in the fourth quarter of last year climbed 14 percent over 2011 to total about $56.78 billion. Meanwhile, the Commerce Department reported in January that total retail sales rose 4.9 percent. “2012 was a year in which … e-commerce continued to grow strongly,” says comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni. “With e-commerce growth rates consistently in the mid-teens throughout the year, it is clear that the online channel has won over the American consumer and will increasingly be relied upon to deliver on the dimensions of lower price, convenience, and selection.” ComScore says that in the fourth quarter of 2012, Web sales of digital content and subscriptions, consumer electronics, toys and hobbies, apparel and accessories, and books and magazines climbed at least 15 percent over 2011. U.S. online spending also accounted for 10 percent of U.S. retail spending. The National Retail Federation’s Shop.org unit forecasts that this year’s online sales will increase 9-12 percent over last year.
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Internet Retailer (02/07/13) Rueter, Thad