According to the American Express Retail Index third annual holiday spending re-cap, online shopping nearly tripled from 6% in 1998 to 16% in 1999.
About one in five online shoppers bought at least half their gifts over the Internet. The two most popular categories were toys and electronics. Over 80% went directly to a retailer’s Web site. Some 95% found buying online a positive experience and would continue to shop online in the future.
The Index also found that shoppers spent $1,558 on average for the holidays (up from $1.148 in 1998). Gifts grew from $865 to $1,199; holiday entertaining, from $134 to $167; and travel, from $45 to $96.
The holiday spending re-cap is based on two surveys: one of 500 heads of households and the other of 275 retailers. The surveys were conducted between Dec. 27 and Dec. 30, 1999.
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