Travel, at an estimated 44% of all online sales, racked up more dollars online in 2003 than any other retail category, accounting for $40.7 billion in purchases, according to data released by comScore Networks Inc. Computer hardware and software, the second largest category for online purchase last year, led all non-travel categories at 14% of all online retail sales, or $13.3 billion.
Following the computer category were apparel and accessories, accounting for $8 billion or 9% of 2003 online sales; consumer electronics at 5% or $5.1 billion; and home and garden goods at 3% or $3 billion.
The fastest growing online categories told a different story. Online sales in the furniture and appliance category grew 70% in 2003 from 2002, more than any other retail category having more than $1 billion in online sales. Online sales in the home and garden category grew by 45% year-to-year; followed by jewelry and watches, 38%; consumer electronics, 37%; and apparel and accessories, 33%.
Overall, non-travel online retail sales rose 22% to $52.3 billion last year from $43 billion in 2002. Online travel sales at $40.7 billion were up 35% in 2003 over the previous year, while total online retail and travel sales in 2003, $93 billion, were up 27% over the prior year’s total of $73.2 billion. ComScore’s figures exclude online auctions and corporate purchasing.
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