US retail e-commerce sales for the third quarter of 2008, adjusted for seasonal variation but not for price changes, totaled an estimated $34.4 billion, an increase of 0.3% (±1.3%) from the second quarter, the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced (via Retailer Daily).

Total retail sales for the third quarter were estimated at $1,018.8 billion, a decrease of 1.4% (±0.2%) from the second quarter of 2008.

The 3Q08 e-commerce estimate increased 5.7% (±1.5%) from the third quarter of 2007, whereas total retail sales increased just 0.3% (±0.5%) in the same period.

E-commerce sales in the third quarter of 2008 accounted for 3.4% of total retail sales.

On a not-adjusted basis:

• The estimate of US retail e-commerce sales for the third quarter of 2008 totaled $31.6 billion, a decrease of 2.8% (±1.3%) from the second quarter of 2008.
• The third quarter 2008 e-commerce estimate increased 4.6% (±1.5%) from the third quarter of 2007.
• Total Q3 retail sales increased 0.9 (±0.5%) from the year-earlier period.
• E-commerce sales in the third quarter of 2008 accounted for 3.1% of total sales.