E-commerce sales jumped nearly 40% in second quarter, says U.S. Census Bureau

The shift to e-commerce fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of losing momentum.

Consumers spent $211.5 billion online during the second quarter of 2020, with e-commerce sales up 31.8% from the previous quarter, according to figures released by the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce. E-commerce sales in the quarter accounted for 16.1% of total retail sales. 

The data showed that total retail sales decreased 3.6% in the same period. 

Compared to the year-ago period, second quarter 2020 e-commerce sales increased increased 44.5% while total retail sales decreased 3.6%.