U.S. Holiday E-Commerce Spending Off to a Strong Start

comScore Networks released the first in a series of reports that measure consumers' online non-travel (retail) spending during the 2006 holiday season, which began November 1, 2006. During the first 19 days of November this year, total online retail spending reached $6.35 billion, marking a 23% increase versus the corresponding days in 2005.

  2006 Holiday Season To Date vs. Corresponding Days in 2005
  Non-Travel (Retail) Spending
  Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases
  Source: comScore Networks
                                              Billions ($)
  Holiday Season to Date            2005        2006      Pct Change
  Nov. 1-19                        $5.18       $6.35          23%

“With 23 percent growth versus the same days last year, online holiday retail spending is once again strong coming out of the gate,” commented Gian Fulgoni, Chairman of comScore Networks. “Already we have seen a single day amass $475 million in online retail sales (November 14, 2006). We expect 'Cyber Monday' this year to approach $600 million, which would be higher than any single day during the 2005 online holiday shopping season.”

Recap of 2005 Thanksgiving Weekend and 'Cyber Monday'

With retailers raking in a cool $924 million in online retail sales during the four-day 2005 Thanksgiving weekend, online spending really took off on 'Cyber Monday' to the tune of $484 million. comScore estimates that online retail sales during the 2006 Thanksgiving weekend will reach $1.15 billion, while spending on 'Cyber Monday' 2006 will reach almost $600 million.

  Thanksgiving Weekend and Cyber Monday
  Online Non-Travel (Retail) Spending
  Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases
  Source: comScore Networks
                                                 Millions ($)
                                    2005        2006      Pct Change
  Thanksgiving Weekend (Thu-Sun)    $924      $1,145*         24%*
  'Cyber Monday'                    $484        $599*         24%*

  *comScore Networks Forecast

Total Non-Travel Holiday E-Commerce to Reach $24 Billion in 2006

comScore also reaffirmed its official forecast for online retail consumer spending for the 2006 holiday season (November 1st — December 31st). comScore estimates that consumer spending on non-travel goods will exceed $24 billion during the 2006 holiday season, representing a 24% increase versus the 2005 holiday season.