NEW YORK—Online shopping this year has seen a revival. Sales reported by Web retailers are up 12 percent from 2009, according to marketing research firm comScore Inc.
For the 47-day period ending Dec. 17, more than $27.5 billion worth of goods and services were sold by online retailers. Last week, more than $5.2 billion were spent online, the heaviest online shopping week in history, according to the New York-based comScore.
In addition to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, traditionally the heaviest online shopping days of the year, consumers also opened their pocketbooks due to numerous free-shipping offers promoted by Web retailers.
“Free Shipping Day punctuated an exceptional week in which consumers spent more than $5.5 billion online, representing a 14 percent increase from last year,” said comScore Chairman Gian Fulgoni in a statement.
“At this late juncture in the online holiday season, we have likely already witnessed the peak spending day of the year, which means that Cyber Monday should emerge as the season’s heaviest online spending day for the first time in history.”
Shoppers bought $1.2 billion worth of items on Cyber Monday, Nov. 29.
According to the research firm, technology items and electronics were among the biggest sellers.
