In 2005, online sales growth outpaced overall retail sales growth, 25 percent to 7 percent according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bureau says that estimated U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the fourth quarter of 2005, adjusted for seasonal variables, was $22.9 billion, 3.3 percent over the third quarter. Total retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2005 were estimated at $960 billion, 0.3 percent over the third quarter. Fourth quarter’s 2005 e-commerce estimate was 23 percent higher than 2004’s, while total retail sales increased 6.0 percent in the same period.

Unadjusted e-commerce retail sales for the fourth quarter totaled $26.5 billion, an estimated 27.5 percent over third quarter 2005. E-commerce sales in the ’05 fourth quarter accounted for 2.6 percent of total retail sales (click on chart left and table below for details).

Total e-commerce sales for 2005 were an estimated $86.3 billion, 24.6 percent over 2004. By comparison, total retail sales in 2005 grew 7.2 percent over 2004. E-commerce sales in 2005 accounted for 2.3 percent of total sales; in 2004, they accounted for 2.0 percent of total sales. (Contact: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 301-763-2713)