How Big is US Ecommerce in 2014? (Charts)

The US Census Bureau released data on US retail and it shows ecommerce as a growth driver. Data shows that in the third quarter of 2014 Americans spent $78 billion online, compared to $67.1 billion in the third quarter of 2013.

Ecommerce is now 6.6 % of total US retail

a. Ecommerce has grown from 5.9% of total retail in 2013 (3rd quarter) to 6.6% this year.

b. Ecommerce sales have went up from $67.1 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2013 to $78 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2014:

c. Both growth and overall sales look great for online retailers but ecommerce really stands out when comparing total retail and ecommerce year on year growth. While total retail struggles with single digit growth, ecommerce is growing at double digits:

To get an overview of how the past two years add up to ecommerce growth in the US, have a look at this chart from Statista, showing yearly growth in ecommerce since 2002 ($72 billion) to 2013 ($322 billion):

Author: Mihai Mike Dragan

Mihai Mike Dragan is an ecommerce expert and the cofounder and COO of Oveit, a global company focusing on live experiences technology, both virtual and in-person. Mike has an experience of over 15 years in building digital products, with a focus on ecommerce. He has worked with some of the largest consumer brands in the world, advising on their digital go to market strategy.   Mike Dragan is also the author of the "Understanding Omnichannel Retail - beyond clicks vs. bricks" ebook, a guide for companies that understand consumer behaviour across media. He holds two degrees, one in International Economics and one in Computer Science. View all posts by Mihai Mike Dragan