75% of U.S. online households have purchased products over the web

Of the 80 million U.S. online households, 75% have purchased products over the Internet, with more than two-thirds having made an online purchase within the past three months, according to a new report from Forrester Research.

Of web shoppers, 19%-about 8 million households-spent $500 during the past three months, 16% spent between $250 and $499, 26% spent between $100 and $249, and 39% spent between $1 and $99, Forrester says.

Nearly 40% of web shoppers say they are pressed for time, and more than 70% say they find shopping online easier than through other channels, according to the report. Active web shoppers-those who spent at least $500 during the past three months-account for about 10% of the U.S. online population and are the group most likely to spend more dollars online and pay for convenience.

Online commerce, excluding travel and auctions, is expected to exceed $270 billion by 2011, Forrester says.