The latest report from the U.S. Department of Commerce reveals that ecommerce sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 reached 5.2 billion, marking a 0.8% increase from the previous quarter. The Department defines ecommerce sales as transactions made for goods and services through various online platforms including the internet, mobile devices, and electronic data networks.
Overall retail sales, which include both online and in-store transactions, totaled ,831.4 billion for Q4 2023, showing a 0.4% growth from the third quarter. Ecommerce sales accounted for 15.6% of total retail sales in the same period, slightly higher than the previous quarter’s 15.5%.
Comparing year-over-year figures, U.S. ecommerce retail sales in Q4 2023 saw a 7.5% increase from Q4 2022, while total quarterly retail sales experienced a 2.8% annual rise in the same timeframe. These numbers indicate a continued growth trend in ecommerce sales, pointing towards a shift in consumer behavior towards online shopping.