Online retail sales in Canada grew 80% in 2005

The increase in the value of online retail sales in Canada in 2005 outstripped the growth in the number of online retailers, according to a new report from Statistics Canada.

Retailers reported online sales of $5.4 billion in 2005, up 80% from $3 billion in 2004, according to the report. Retail sales accounted for 14% of total online sales of $39.2 billion in Canada last year. That compares with 10.6% of total online sales of $28.3 billion in 2004.

The percentage of retailers with web sites rose to 42% in 2005, up 10.5% from 38% in 2004. Overall, 38% of private retailers reported having a web site last year, up from 37% in 2004, according to Statistics Canada.