Christmas online sales break records

Online holiday shoppers spent a record $18.5bn (£10.2bn) online during the 2003 holiday season - a 35 per cent jump on 2002.

According to the eSpending Report from Goldman Sachs, Harris Interactive and Nielsen/NetRatings, US online shoppers spent $3.8bn on clothing this season, a 40 per cent increase from 2002.

Spending on toys and video games (hardware and software) reached $2.2bn, jumping 33 per cent from the previous year.

Consumer electronics were also popular during the holiday season, with internet shoppers spending $2bn, a rise of two per cent year on year.

Computer hardware and peripherals saw significant spending, with total revenue of $1.7bn in 2003. Video and DVD had a strong season with shoppers spending $1.6bn, up 46 per cent.

Abha Bhagat, senior analyst Nielsen/NetRatings, said in a statement: "Online retailers have enjoyed a fantastic season in 2003.

"This is the third straight season of record growth, which indicates retailers are doing a much better job of appealing to customers through online channels as well as successfully integrating various channels to reach out to customers effectively."

Consumer satisfaction was also up: 63 per cent of online shoppers were satisfied with their overall shopping experience, a five-point increase from 2002. Seven per cent were dissatisfied, a one per cent decrease from 2002.