Online retail sales, more formally known as "E-Commerce sales," increased 7.7% (39.1% y/y) in Q1'21 on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, after easing 0.9% in Q4 and 1.2% in Q3.

The Q1 increase in E-Commerce sales compares to a 7.8% increase in overall retail sales during the same period. This overall measure of retail sales excludes the food services and restaurants. E-Commerce sales account for 13.6% of total retail sales, compared to 10.7% in 2019 and 4.4% in 2010.

Details of the E-Commerce data by sector are not seasonally adjusted. Sales of nonstore retailers, which accounted for 56% of total E-Commerce sales in Q1'21, fell 11.8% (+31.5% y/y) after an 18.1% rise in Q4. Online sales of motor vehicles and parts increased 4.7% (45.0% y/y) in Q1. Sales of furniture & home furnishings declined 16.8% (+49.0% y/y) while building materials & garden equipment sales weakened 5.6% (+63.1% y/y. Clothing  accessory store sales fell by roughly one-third q/q, but rose by one-third y/y. General merchandise store sales weakened 36.4% (+62.4% y/y). Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument & book sales were off 27.3% (+48.8% y/y) in Q1 and reversed the Q4 gain. Food & beverage purchases were little changed q/q but have doubled y/y.

E-commerce sales are goods and services ordered over an Internet, mobile device (M-commerce), extranet, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) network, electronic mail, or other comparable online system. Payment may or may not be made online and sometimes sale & price are negotiated. Total sales estimates are adjusted for seasonal variation, but not for price changes. They are also adjusted for trading-day differences and moving holidays.

The retail sales and retail E-Commerce sales data can be found in Haver's USECON database.