Q3 2011 US retail e-commerce spending up 13% vs year ago
This growth rate represented the eighth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and fourth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth rates.
| Retail E-Commerce (Non-Travel) Growth Rates Excludes Auctions, Autos and Large Corporate Purchases Total US - Home & Work Locations (Source: comScore, Inc) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quarter | E-Commerce Spending (US$ Millions) | Y/Y Percent Change |
| Q1 2007 | US$27,970 | 17% |
| Q2 2007 | US$27,176 | 23% |
| Q3 2007 | US$28,441 | 23% |
| Q4 2007 | US$39,132 | 19% |
| Q1 2008 | US$31,178 | 11% |
| Q2 2008 | US$30,581 | 13% |
| Q3 2008 | US$30,274 | 6% |
| Q4 2008 | US$38,071 | -3% |
| Q1 2009 | US$31,031 | 0% |
| Q2 2009 | US$30,169 | -1% |
| Q3 2009 | US$29,552 | -2% |
| Q4 2009 | US$39,045 | 3% |
| Q1 2010 | US$33,984 | 10% |
| Q2 2010 | US$32,942 | 9% |
| Q3 2010 | US$32,133 | 9% |
| Q4 2010 | US$43,432 | 11% |
| Q1 2011 | US$38,002 | 12% |
| Q2 2011 | US$37,501 | 14% |
| Q3 2011 | US$36,308 | 13% |
"The third quarter of 2011 saw a continuation of the year's strength in US retail e-commerce spending, even in the face of renewed economic headwinds and uncertainty facing the US consumer," said comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni. "As we approach the critical holiday shopping season, we are optimistic about the continued health of the e-commerce sector despite other factors - including stubbornly high unemployment and volatile financial markets - currently weighing on the economy. More consumers than ever before are relying on the online channel for product and pricing information, which along with the Internet's fundamental appeal of convenience and attractive pricing, are contributing to the sustained upward momentum in e-commerce spending."
Other highlights from Q3 2011 include:
- The top-performing online product categories were: Digital Content & Subscriptions, Event Tickets, Jewellery & Watches, Consumer Electronics (excl. computer peripherals) and Computer Software. Each category grew at least 15% vs. year ago.
- The 13% growth in the quarter was primarily a function of an increase in the number of buyers (up 22%), with 74% of all Internet users making at least one online purchase in the quarter.
- 40% of e-commerce transactions included free shipping, down from a peak of 49% in Q4 2010. Free shipping rates tend to peak during the holiday season.
Webinar Series: State of the US online retail economy through Q3 2011
Join Gian Fulgoni and Andrew Lipsman, VP of Industry Analysis, as they present an update of the state of the US online retail economy through Q3 2011 in a live webinar on Tuesday, 15 November from 2-3 pm EST / 1-2 pm CST / 11-12pm PST (8-9pm South Africa).
This instalment includes an overview of e-commerce trends in the third quarter of 2011, including an analysis of the impact of mobile on bricks-and-mortar retail.
To register for the webinar, please visit: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/891625072.
Source: comScore
comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and the preferred source of digital marketing intelligence.
Go to: http://www.comscore.com
