With gas prices on the rise, e-commerce sales posted a fifth consecutive month of double-digit growth in March according to the latest report that was issued yesterday.

Online retail sales were increased by 16.1 percent last month compared to March of 2010, building on the 13.2 percent year over year growth that was estimated.

Leading the spending charge was the online apparel category, which saw an 18.7 percent yearly increase in spending.  It marked the 16th consecutive month of growth for online apparel sales.  Total apparel sales, including  those in brick and mortar storefronts, was up 4.4 percent as well, to be expected as a new season begins and shoppers start looking to update and expand their wardrobes. Footwear was the only sub-sector within the apparel category not to post strong gains in March.

As always, Master Card compiles the report based on all transactions in its network for a given month, including all brands of credit and debit cards, cash and checks.

We’ll keep tracking retail sales data as it emerges this spring and hope that the upward trend continues!