The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce estimates the U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the second quarter of 2007, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences but not for price changes, was $33.6 billion, an increase of 6.4% from the first quarter of 2007. Total retail sales for the second quarter of 2007 were estimated at $1,012.6 billion, an increase of 1.3% from the first quarter of 2007. The second quarter 2007 e-commerce estimate increased 20.8% from the second quarter of 2006, while total retail sales increased 3.8% in the same period. E-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2007 accounted for 3.3% of total sales.
Results from SEMA’s 2007 Automotive Lifestyles survey of enthusiasts showed that Internet retail websites are the number-one outlet that these consumers choose to buy a majority of their specialty-equipment parts and accessories. Roughly 22% of respondents said that they buy over half of their specialty-equipment on Internet retail sites, 17% said that they purchase from manufacturer’s websites and 10% said that they purchase over half of their specialty-equipment through online auction websites. With this in mind, growth in retail e-commerce sales means more dollars are being spent on specialty-equipment parts and accessories.