US e-commerce spend jumped by 54% in September to $4.7 billion, according to a report released yesterday by Nielsen//NetRatings and Harris Interactive.
eCommercePulse Total Monthly Online Spending And Number Of Buyers | ||
Month | Spend ($m) | Total number of buyers (m) |
Sep-00 | 3,086 | 30.9 |
Oct-00 | 3,703 | 30.9 |
Nov-00 | 4,788 | 31.9 |
Dec-00 | 7,223 | 36.1 |
Jan-01 | 3,780 | 37.8 |
Feb-01 | 3,390 | 33.9 |
Mar-01 | 3,517 | 35.3 |
Apr-01 | 4,489 | 35.9 |
May-01 | 5,383 | 35.9 |
Jun-01 | 5,299 | 35.3 |
Jul-01 | 4,932 | 35.2 |
Aug-01 | 5,562 | 37.1 |
Sep-01 | 4,743 | 38.6 |
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings / Harris Interactive, 09/01 |
“An unprecedented number of people embraced e-commerce last month, exceeding even the huge number of buyers during the December holiday,” said Sean Kaldor, vice president of analytical services, NetRatings. “Despite recent national events, the number of online buyers actually grew four percent from August.”
The travel category maintained its position at the top of the e-commerce chart, but recent events naturally affected the public’s appetite for travel and also introduced a number of travel restrictions. These conditions caused revenues to drop 23% between August and September, even though the sector rose by 44% year on year.
“Travel accounts for nearly a quarter of all online spending so a downturn in this critical category dampens the entire e-commerce sector,” says Kaldor.
Top eCommercePulse Category, Ranked By Online Spend, September 2001 | |||
Sep 2000 Spend ($m) | Sept 2001 Spend ($m) | % Change | |
Travel services | 795 | 1,148 | 44.4 |
Clothing/Apparel | 276 | 494 | 79.0 |
Auctions | 173 | 407 | 135.3 |
Computer hardware | 226 | 380 | 68.1 |
Books | 121 | 300 | 147.9 |
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings / Harris Interactive, 09/01 |