Reston, Va. – CE and related categories were the top performers in online sales during the third quarter.
According to a survey by market research firm ComScore, CE, computer software, and digital content and subscriptions, along with apparel, led the pack in e-commerce sales for the three months ended Sept. 30, with gains of at least 16 percent year over year.
Total online sales rose 15 percent during the period, to $41.9 billion, representing the eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.
“Such performance offers some optimism as we approach the holiday season, especially given recent improvements in consumer sentiment,” said ComScore chairman Gian Fulgoni. “With the housing market beginning to show signs of recovery in addition to increasing — if still underwhelming — job growth, there appears to be strong enough footing to support a very healthy online holiday shopping season.”
The e-tail survey also showed that 37 percent of U.S. consumers said they have engaged in showrooming behavior, representing an increase of 5 percentage points in the past two quarters.
