Sales during the week prior to Christmas (December 18 – December 22, 2006) rose 38% versus the corresponding week in 2005. Importantly, year-to-date non-travel e-commerce spending surpassed the $100 billion mark for the first time ever on Saturday, December 23, 2006. 

"That online retail consumer spending for the year-to-date has surpassed the $100 billion mark is a testament to the continued growth and strength of the online marketplace,” said Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore Networks.  “Retail e-commerce now accounts for approximately 7% of consumers’ U.S. retail spending (excluding gas, autos and food), making it an important component of the total U.S. economy.”

Ranked by total retail sales for the holiday season through December 26, Amazon.com topped the list, followed by Dell.com, Yahoo.com and Walmart.com. 

An analysis of leading retailers by percentage increase in sales from 2005 to 2006 found that consumer electronics retailer Bestbuy.com achieved the greatest gains, followed by Walmart.com and Ticketmaster.com, with each of these three sites experiencing gains in excess of 50%.