comScore has released U.S. e-commerce spending figures for October 2007, showing that retail e-commerce increased 19% versus year ago to nearly 10 billion. The October growth rate marked a slight decline from the growth rates observed earlier in the year. In particular, retail e-commerce sales year-to-date through September grew at approximately 21%, meaning that the 19% growth in October represented a slightly softer-than-average month.
The video games, consoles & accessories category posted the strongest gains in October versus last year, jumping 264%, as sales of Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation consoles and accessories, as well as popular video game Halo 3, continued to drive growth in the category. Furniture, appliances & equipment also experienced a strong month, growing 105% versus last year, followed by computer software (up 76%) and event tickets (up 43%). Meanwhile, apparel & accessories, one of the largest online retail categories, grew just 5% in October.
