Internet sales will eclipse catalog sales in 2006, the DMA projects

Internet-based consumer purchases will reach $37.1 billion this year, up 32.5% from $28 billion last year, the Direct Marketing Association projects. The DMA released its numbers today at the 18th Annual Catalog Conference taking place in Boston. Catalog sales will reach $120 billion, up 8.9% from $110.2 billion last year. The DMA projects overall retail sales to grow to $3.3 trillion in 2001, up 3.1% from $3.2 trillion in 2000. Internet sales in 2002 will reach $61.3 billion, then triple to 2006, when they will hit $181.4 billion. Internet sales will eclipse catalogs in that, when the DMA is expecting sales of $160.2 billion.