Video Games Driving E-Commerce

A recent release by comScore on U.S. e-commerce spending for the second quarter of 2007 showed that retail e-commerce grew 23 percent versus year ago to $27.2 billion, while online travel spending increased 14 percent to $20.3 billion. Total U.S. e-commerce spending climbed to $47.5 billion during the period.

U.S. Online Consumer Spending Billion$ (Total U.S. Home/Work/University Locations)
E-Commerce Spending	Q2 2006	Q2 2007	Percent Change
Total	$40.0	$47.5	19%
Non-Travel (Retail)	$22.2	$27.2	23%
Travel	$17.8	$20.3	14%
Source: comScore, Inc

The top-gaining e-commerce category in Q2 versus year ago was video games, consoles & accessories, which jumped 159 percent on the strength of Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3 sales. Sport & fitness also saw substantial gains (up 58 percent), followed by consumer electronics (up 51 percent) and event tickets (up 44 percent).

Top Gaining E-Commerce Categories Q2 2007 vs. Q2 2006(Total U.S. Home/Work/University Locations)
Category Q2 2007 vs. Q2 2006 Percent Change
Video Games, Consoles & Accessories	159%
Sport & Fitness	58%
Consumer Electronics (ex. Peripherals)	51%
Event Tickets	44%
Jewelry & Watches	32%
Furniture, Appliances & Equipment	25%
Music, Movies & Videos	24%
Computer Software (excl. PC Games)	23%
Books & Magazines	22%
Apparel & Accessories	20%
Source: comScore, Inc.

Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore, said "Retail e-commerce rebounded solidly in the second quarter... matching the growth rates we've seen during the past couple of years."

Total U.S. online consumer spending reached $170.8 billion in 2006, with non-travel spending accounting for $102.1 billion and travel spending accounting for $68.8 billion.

U.S. Online Consumer Spending First Half 2007 vs. First Half 2006 Billion $ (Total U.S. Home/Work/University Locations
E-Commerce Spending	Q1+Q2 2006	Q1+Q2 2007	Percent Change
Total	$80.8	$94.7	17%
Non-Travel (Retail)	$46.1	$55.1	20%
Travel	$34.7	$39.6	14%
Source: comScore, Inc.

"Even factoring in the moderate growth rates from Q1, we're currently on pace to break $200 billion in e-commerce spending in 2007," continued Mr. Fulgoni. "However, in the past we've seen growth rates accelerate as the year progresses, culminating with the online holiday shopping season, so $200 billion may actually turn out to be a conservative estimate."

For additional information, please visit ComScore here.

Source