Just released data suggests that there was a slight pick up in retail shopping, helped by online purchases, which rose an estimated 3.6 percent this holiday season when compared to last year, says SpendingPulse.
Businessweek: The spending estimate for Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 excludes automotive and gasoline sales, the Purchase, New York-based researcher said in an e-mail yesterday. SpendingPulse measures retail sales across all payment forms, including cash and checks. The firm didn’t disclose dollar spending totals.
A jump in purchases the week before Christmas helped year- over-year electronics sales increase 6 percent since Black Friday on Nov. 27, and 5.9 percent for the holiday season starting Nov. 1, SpendingPulse said. More shopping occurred online, with sales rising 18 percent from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24.
