ComScore says online holiday sales up 14 pct

[January 04, 2013]  RESTON, Va. (AP) -- A report released Thursday says holiday shoppers spent of $42.3 billion online in November and December, 14 percent more than in the same months a year ago.

ComScore found that shoppers started the holiday season strong in November, but a dip in consumer confidence hurt early December sales.

Shoppers picked up spending in the final days of the holiday season. That included a 76 percent increase on what retailers called "Free Shipping Day" on Dec. 17 and 36 percent more on Christmas Day itself.

ComScore says the online sales growth rate was essentially on a par with last year's, but it missed expectations for a 16 percent increase.

[Associated Press]

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