During the first 38 days of the US holiday season this year, total online spending reached $15.6 billion, marking a 25% increase versus the corresponding days in 2005.
Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore Networks, said: “Online consumer spending growth continues to beat expectations, increasing 25% versus last year.
“The single-biggest online consumer spending day last year was Monday, December 12 with $556 million spent, but this year we’ve already seen 7 days eclipse $600 million in spending. In fact, each of the five days in the most recent work week (Monday, December 4 – Friday, December 8) exceeded $610 million. We expect that the heaviest day of this holiday season will occur during the week of December 11, with sales that should approach $700 million.”
| 2006 Holiday Season To Date v Corresponding Days in 2005 |
| Non-Travel (Retail) Spending |
| Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases |
| Source: comScore Networks |
| |
Billions ($) |
| Holiday Season To Date |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
| November 1 – December 8 |
$12.47 |
$15.58 |
25% |
ComScore says that despite the first mover advantage held by online-only retailers, an analysis of sales by retailer for the 2006 holiday season through December 8 reveals the current strength of multi-channel retailers.
While Amazon ranks first in online sales this season, only three of the ten largest online retailers are ‘pure-plays.’ Retailers with bricks and mortar stores take seven of the top ten spots.
Among the sites with the highest online sales, some are generating growth rates in excess of 50 percent. Best Buy ranks highest in sales growth, followed by Ticketmaster, Wal-Mart, Circuit City and Victoria’s Secret, clearly revealing the strength of the multi-channel retailers.
Previous research from comScore Networks said that retail websites in the UK experienced a 65% increase in shopping traffic in the week ending November 26 (see Christmas Traffic Increase For Retail Websites).
Meanwhile, research from the Interactive Media In Retail Group revealed that UK internet shopping reached a new all time high in October, with sales estimated to be worth £2.73 billion (see UK Internet Shopping Reaches October High).
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