Non-travel U.S. online spending in the first 48 days of the holiday season starting Nov. 1 reached an estimated $16.34 billion, up 24 percent from $13.16 billion a year ago, comScore Networks said.
Online spending for the week ending Dec. 18 also jumped 29 percent from the year-ago period, the Chicago-based market researcher said.
“Retailers' continued use of last-minute promotions and discounted in-time shipping have allowed consumers to comfortably extend their online purchasing time later into the season,” comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni said in a statement.
ComScore expects consumer spending on non-travel retail products at U.S. Web sites will cross $19.6 billion for the November and December holiday season. This should represent 24 percent year-over-year growth.
According to the company, year-through-Dec. 18 non-travel online consumer spending excluding auctions and large corporate purchases is $79 billion, up 24 percent from $63.9 billion in the year-ago period. The full year is forecast to close at $82.7 billion, up 24 percent from $66.5 billion last year.
Mickey Alam Khan covers Internet marketing campaigns and e-commerce, agency news as well as circulation for DM News and DMNews.com. To keep up with the latest developments in these areas, subscribe to our daily and weekly e-mail newsletters by visiting www.dmnews.com/newsletters
