Online Buys Expected to Reach $72.1 Billion

Online purchases will grab a larger portion of U.S. retail sales this year as they rise to $72.1 billion, according to a study of Internet retailing.

Internet buyers will account for almost one-fourth of all computer and software retail sales this year, while a little more than one of eight books sold will be purchased on the Web, said a study for Shop.org, a trade industry group.

A combination of more people shopping on the Internet and increased repeat purchases will contribute to the increase, the report said. Internet sales are projected to rise 41% from last year’s $51.3 billion and account for 3.2% of total retail sales of $2.25 trillion as more women join men to shop online.

The Internet will account for more than 5% of toy, travel, music and video, event ticket, book and computer purchases this year, the study said. Internet sales accounted for 2.4% of the $2.16 trillion in total retail sales last year, Shop.org said.

The study was produced from a survey of more than 100 retailers.