The rise of e-commerce in the United States

Over the past 20 years, the e-commerce steadily increased in size and reach. According to Statistas Digital Market Outlook around 230 million Americans will shop online this year, spending a total of 474 billion dollars. But how big is e-commerce really in the grand scheme of things?
As the chart below, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, shows, the impact of online shopping on total retail sales in the United States is still smaller than many people think. In the fourth quarter of 2017, e-commerce accounted for more than 10 percent of total retail sales for the first time, and for all of 2017, online retail accounted for about $9 of every $100 purchase.
While this may not seem like much when you consider the perceived importance of e-commerce, it is important to note that total retail sales include categories such as car and parts dealers, petrol stations and, of course, grocery shops, where e-commerce plays a very minor role. Excluding these categories, the market research company comScore estimates that e-commerce accounts for almost 20 per cent of consumer spending.
You can find more infographics at Statista