Online shoppers spent $18.6 billion on non-travel goods during the first six weeks of the 2005 holiday season, a 16% increase over the same period last year, according to the Goldman, Sachs & Co., Nielsen//NetRatings and Harris Interactive Holiday eSpending Report. These figures reflect sales through Dec. 9.
The No. 1 online-shopping category has been apparel, according to the report. Online shoppers have spent $3.4 billion, or 17% of online revenue, on apparel so far in the 2005 holiday season, according to the report.
Consumer electronics and computer hardware were the Nos. 2 and 3 categories with revenue totals of $2.8 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively, the report said.
Books and toys/video games rounded out the top five product categories, accounting for a respective $2.2 billion and $1.4 billion in online revenue, the report said.
“Apparel and consumer electronics are consistently among the most popular gifts purchased during the holidays, resulting in the largest share of online revenue. Additionally, sales in the computer hardware category have been fueled by aggressive discounting on items such as PCs and laptops,” said Heather Dougherty, senior retail analyst, Nielsen//NetRatings, in a statement.
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