SAN FRANCISCO: US consumers spent US$211.5 billion during Q2 on e-commerce, up 31.8 percent quarter over quarter.

The US Census Bureau data provides the latest picture of how the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the shift to online shopping.

E-commerce now accounts for 16.1 percent of all US sales, up from 11.8 percent in Q1.

With bricks-and-mortar stores closing, many consumers have turned to online retailers for essential goods like paper towels and hand sanitizer, which has led to an uptick in purchases for things like office supplies and electronics.

Online grocery orders also surged as many consumers opted to skip trips to the supermarket.

Amazon and Walmart reported massive increases in e-commerce sales in Q2, while Target, reported similar figures in Q1.