E-Commerce Sales Rise 25.9% in 1st Quarter

U.S. retail sales over the Internet grew by 25.9% in the first quarter of 2003 compared with a year earlier to $11.9 billion, the Commerce Department said.

It was the smallest year-over-year increase since the 23.5% gain in the second quarter of 2002, the agency said.

In comparison with the fourth quarter, sales dropped 13.4% in the first three months of 2003. Overall retail sales fell 10.7% compared with the fourth quarter, which is typically boosted by holiday season shopping.

From Reuters