Consumer electronics & software help e-commerce grow in 2011

Ahead of the busiest e-shopping day of the year, Cyber Monday, online purchases have surged according to research firm comScore. The company said its expects cyber retailers to reap the rewards this holiday season as more and more folks become web savvy consumers.

E-patrons spent $36.3 million in the third quarter – a 13 percent increase over last year’s online retailer earnings, said comScore. The company added that the new results mark the eighth straight quarter of growth for online retailers.

“The third quarter of 2011 saw a continuation of the year’s strength in U.S. retail e-commerce spending, even in the face of renewed economic headwinds and uncertainty facing the U.S. consumer,” said comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni.

Digital content, various consumer electronics and PC software were major movers in cyber shops. All three saw double-digit growth, said comScore. The firm believes an influx of new customers drove most of the gains, with nearly three-quarters of web-connected consumers now buying something online.

Fulgoni stopped short of predicting additional growth this holiday season, but remained confident that e-commerce companies have no cause for alarm.

“As we approach the critical holiday shopping season, we are optimistic about the continued health of the e-commerce sector despite other factors – including stubbornly high unemployment and volatile financial markets – currently weighing on the economy,” he said. “More consumers than ever before are relying on the online channel for product and pricing information, which along with the Internet’s fundamental appeal of convenience and attractive pricing, are contributing to the sustained upward momentum in e-commerce spending.”

Have you purchased a tablet, computer software or media player online in the past few months? Let us know in the comment section.