RAM Research Group projects that global consumer online purchases will grow at a rate between 65% and 70%, compounded annually, over the next five years, driving online sales to more than $200 billion by the year 2003. For this year, RAM Research estimates that nearly $31.0 billion will be spent over the Internet worldwide, about 67% more than 1998's total Internet purchase volume. The research firm says Internet payment card volume, as a percentage of total sales, will drop from 90% to 82% over the next five years.
Global Consumer Online Sales Projections
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Global Online Sales $18.5b $30.9b $52.5b $88.2b $147.3b $216.9b
Card Volume $16.7b $21.7b $45.2b $74.1b $122.3b $177.9b
Source: RAM Research Group (Frederick, Maryland)
