Total B2B sales generated from the combination of manufacturing and distribution operations grew nicely in the third quarter and nine months ended Sept. 30. But B2B ecommerce sales grew faster.

Despite soaring inflation, ongoing supply chain disruption, and talk of a possible recession, total B2B sales for the third quarter grew to $3.782 trillion. That’s a 15.1% increase from $3.284 trillion in Q3 2021, based on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. For the first nine months of the year, total B2B sales grew slightly faster by 17.1% to $11.104 trillion from $9.481 trillion in the first nine months of 2021.

Total B2B sales continue to grow as demand for goods and services remains strong across many industrial sectors. But how B2B buyers are purchasing goods and services for their organization has clearly shifted. And that shift in purchasing behavior is a big factor in the acceleration of Q3 and year-to-date B2B ecommerce sales.