comScore Networks yesterday reported its e-commerce sales estimates for the first six months of 2006 and forecasts for the entire year.

Total online spending by consumers in the first half of 2006 totaled an estimated $80.8 billion, a 20.1 percent increase over the same period in 2005, according to comScore. Online retail (non-travel) spending increased 24.6 percent, to $46.1 billion, compared with the year-ago period; online travel spending reached $34.7 billion, a 14.7 percent gain.

Total online retail spending in 2006 is forecast by comScore to reach approximately $170 billion. Non-travel e-commerce spending is expected to reach $102 billion, breaking the $100 billion threshold for the first time. Approximately $24 billion is expected to be spent on non-travel online sales during the 2006 holiday season (November 1 to December 31).

Several retail categories grew significantly in 1H06: Office supplies online spending increased 54 percent from 1H05; computer software, 39 percent; sport and fitness, 38 percent; home and garden, 36 percent; and toys and hobbies, 33 percent.