E-Commerce Sales Rise Sharply
 

U.S. retail sales over the Internet and other electronic networks surged in the fourth quarter of 2003, making up a record share -- almost 2 percent -- of total retail sales, the Commerce Department said on Monday.
Commerce said so-called e-commerce sales -- purchases over the Internet, e-mail or other electronic networks -- rose by 29.7 percent in the final three months of 2003 over the previous quarter to $17.23 billion. Overall retail sales rose 5.2 percent in the fourth quarter.

The increase in e-commerce purchases was the third straight quarterly rise but was less than the 31.6 percent gain seen in the final quarter of 2002.

(Reuters)