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FACT MATTER

Annual online retail sales will grow to $172.4 billion this year, up 22 percent over $141.4 billion in 2004, according to Forrester Research.

Percent of sales via the Internet by retail category this year:
Flowers, cards, gifts 10%
Toys, video games 12%
Cosmetics, fragrances 12%
Consumer electronics 13%
Books 20%
Travel 26%
Tickets 28%
Computer hardware & software 48%