The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce released their e-commerce sales report for the second quarter of 2011. The retail sales for the second quarter of 2011 were estimated at $1.04 trillion, an increase of 1.2 percent from the first quarter of 2011. E-commerce sales accounted for 4.6 percent of the total sales.The second quarter e-commerce estimate increased 17.6 percent from the second quarter 2010. Total e-commerce sales for the second quarter were $47.5 billion, an increase of 3 percent over the first quarter of 2011.The US Census Bureau 2Q Retail Report further states that on a not adjusted basis, the estimate of US retail e-commerce sales for the second quarter were $44.2 billion, representing a 1.1 percent increase over the first quarter 2011. The second quarter 2011 e-commerce estimate increased 17.2 percent from the second quarter of 2010.E-commerce sales continue to steadily grow. The 4.6 percent of total retail sales attributed to e-tailers represents the highest gain reported by the Department of Commerce.

With the economy in flux, consumers will continue to turn to the web in search of the best deals.