Internet Retailer: Weekly e-sales go flat, failing to hit $1 billion for first time this year

For the first time in 2004, a week of e-commerce both went flat relative to the year before and sunk below the $1 billion per week line. Signals started coming last week, when figures showed a distinct diversion from the 2004 growth rate, barely beating the billion dollar mark. The week ending May 30 didn't change much at all from the previous year, booking about $976 million, up only $5 million. comScore, in analyzing its figures, said it might have to do with the Memorial Day holiday, but that holiday last year corresponded with an actual rise in e-commerce.

Online travel sales fell as well, to $735 million from $751 million last year, which is more consistent with a general soft performance of late.