U.S. online sales reach almost $50 billion in fourth quarter

[News_Editor]

U.S. online sales reach almost $50 billion in fourth quarter

2012-02-07 19:33:51 GMT+7 (ICT)

RESTON, VIRGINIA (BNO NEWS) -- Retail e-commerce sales in the United States reached almost $50 billion during the fourth quarter of 2011, a 14 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to a report released by comScore, Inc. on Monday.

In the report, digital measuring company comScore shows online retail spending in the United States reached $49.7 billion for the previous quarter, representing the ninth consecutive quarter of positive growth and the fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth rates.

In addition, the report revealed that, for the entire year of 2011, online spending in the United States reached a record $161.5 billion, marking a 13-percent increase from 2010. ComScore chairman Gian Fulgoni noted that, as the U.S. continues to face uncertainty in its economy, consumers have increased their online activity regarding their shopping needs.

"Price and convenience continue to be the critical value drivers for e-commerce, and unless those conditions change we can expect to see more channel-shifting to online in 2012 and perhaps even an acceleration in the current growth trend," Fulgoni said.

The report also showed that the top-performing online product categories were Digital Content & Subscriptions, Jewelry & Watches, Consumer Electronics, Toys & Hobbies, and Computer Software. Each of those categories saw a growth of at least 18 percent compared to the previous year.

Furthermore, ten days in the fourth quarter of 2011 surpassed $1 billion in online spending. ComScore estimated that consumers spent $1.251 billion on Cyber Monday (November 28), followed by $1.178 billion on December 5 and $1.133 billion on Green Monday (December 12).

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