During the first two days of the New York City transit strike, the share of total U.S. online spending generated in the metropolitan area jumped 28 percent, rising from 3.3 percent to 4.4 percent of online spending, according to the latest figures from comScore’s 2005 Online Holiday Shopping Update.

“It is clear that consumers turned to the Internet for their last minute shopping needs,” said Tal Zamir, director, conScore Networks. “Without question the ability to order online and receive products in advance of the holiday was a major attraction to New York residents at a time when it was difficult to reach their favorite retail stores.”

Overall, non-travel spending during the first 51 days of the holiday season (Nov. 1- Dec. 21) totaled $17.5 billion, a 24 percent increase over the $14.1 billion posted during the same period in 2004—according to the Reston, Va.-based company, which provides insight and analysis into consumer behavior and attitudes. For the week ending Dec. 18 online spending rose 29 percent over the same week in 2004.

ComScore estimates that consumer spending on non-travel (retail) goods at U.S. Internet sites will exceed $19 billion for the entire 2005 holiday shopping season, an approximate 24 percent increase over the 2004 season.

JCK