The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced that the estimate of U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the fourth quarter of 2004, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, was $18.4 billion, an increase of 4.7% (±3.1%) from the third quarter of 2004. Total retail sales for the fourth quarter of 2004 were estimated at $938.5 billion, an increase of 2.4% (±0.3%) from the third quarter of 2004. The fourth quarter 2004 e-commerce estimate increased 22.1% (±2.6%) from the fourth quarter of 2003 while total retail sales increased 8.2% (±0.5%) in the same period. E-commerce sales in the fourth quarter accounted for 2.0% of total sales.

On a not adjusted basis, the estimate of U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the fourth quarter of 2004 totaled $21.4 billion, an increase of 29.4% (±3.1%) from the third quarter of 2004. The fourth quarter 2004 e-commerce estimate increased 22.3% (±2.6%) from the fourth quarter of 2003 while total retail sales increased 8.3% (±0.5%) in the same period. E-commerce sales in the fourth quarter of 2004 accounted for 2.25 of total sales.

Total e-commerce sales for 2004 were estimated at $69.2 billion, an increase of 23.5% (±2.1%) from 2003. Total retail sales in 2004 increased 7.8% (±0.3%) from 2003. E-commerce sales in 2004 accounted for 1.9% of total sales. E-commerce sales in 2003 accounted for 1.6% of total sales.