Retail buying online grows 9.5% in September, Forrester reports

Consumer online retail purchases increased 9.5% in September from August, Forrester Research Inc. reports, although the spending level is off nearly 3% from September of last year. Retail spending in September reached $2.92 billion, up from $2.66 billion in August, but down from $2.99 billion in September 2000.

Total online consumer spending as measured by Forrester, which includes travel spending, was flat in September vs. August: $3.97 billion vs. $4 billion. Total online spending in September 2000 reached $4.22 billion.

The number of households shopping online increased to 15.2 million in September from 14.8 million in August, Forrester reports. Consumers spent an average of $262 in September, compared with $273 in August.

"The fact that online retail remained stable during a month of such social and economic instability speaks volumes about how well e-commerce is positioned to stand up to a poor economy," said Christopher M. Kelley, analyst at Forrester.