Holiday spending up 13% over last year, study finds

RESTON, Va. According to comScore, consumers have spent $9.01 billion online so far this holiday season (Nov. 1 to 21), marking a 13% increase versus the corresponding days last year.

“The beginning of the online holiday shopping season has gotten off to an extremely positive start, outperforming our earlier expectations,” said comScore chairman, Gian Fulgoni. “Despite continued high unemployment rates and other economic concerns, consumers seem to be more willing to open up their wallets this holiday season than last. While this early spending surge reflects, in part, heavy promotional activity on the part of retailers occurring earlier this season, it is nevertheless a very encouraging sign.”

The company expects retail spending for the November to December will reach $32.4 billion, representing an 11% gain versus year ago.