First Quarter Brings Online Sales Increases

Online sales were an exception in the first quarter of this year, according to a survey by Forrester Research and shop.org. The results were reported today in eMarketer. While most economic indicators were down in the first period, online retail sales rose an average of 11 percent, this survey reveals.

Of 80 companies studied, 58 percent saw online sales increases compared with the same quarter a year ago. And:

• 44 percent of the e-tailers reported increases of more than 10 percent.
• 14 percent turned in increases up to 10 percent.
• 13 percent said sales were flat.
• About 70 percent of consumer brand manufacturers and multichannel retailers reported increases in online sales.

However, six in 10 Web-only merchants said sales were down.

Can the economic picture be changing? Got to happen one of these days.