During the first 19 days of November this year, total online retail spending (non-travel) reached $6.35 billion, marking a 23-percent increase versus the corresponding days in 2005, according to comScore Networks, a leader in measuring digital data. It is the first report by the Reston, Virg.-based company for the holiday season.

“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.”

Online retails are expected to take in $924 million in online retail sales during the four-day 2005 Thanksgiving weekend. ‘Cyber Monday,’ the Monday before Thanksgiving which is heavily promoted by online retailers, resulted in $484 million in online sales, comScore said.  It estimates that online retail sales during the 2006 Thanksgiving weekend will reach $1.15 billion

JCK