January 08, 2008	Tuesday	Zilhaj 28, 1428

WASHINGTON: Americans spent $29 billion in holiday shopping on the Internet in 2007, a rise of 19 per cent, a survey showed on Monday.

The report by research firm comScore showed e-commerce spending for the Nov 1 to Dec 31 was just slightly below the group’s forecast of 20 per cent growth, but well above the estimated increase in overall holiday sales of around four per cent.

“Ultimately, the softness in the growth of online retail sales during the first 10 days of November proved difficult to overcome and prevented the season’s growth rate from reaching our forecast of 20 per cent,” said comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni.

“However, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas experienced a healthier 21 per cent growth rate.” The group said “Green Monday” on Dec 10 was the heaviest individual spending day of the season with $881m in sales, as consumers sought to make purchases in time for Christmas.

That day was heavier than the so-called Cyber Monday, Nov 26, which accounted for $733m, or the ninth heaviest day for online sales.

The category of video games, consoles and accessories was the fastest growing online retail category, jumping 129 per cent from 2006.

Furniture, appliances and other equipment saw a rise of 67 per cent while consumer electronics sales rose 23 per cent.—AFP