A leading research firm has released estimates for holiday spending to date - and it seems it’s smiles all round for online retailers.

ComScore Networks estimates that USA online spending to December 15, not including travel, surged to a tad under 19.5 billion dollars. This represents an increase of 25% over the same period last year.

Judging by sales on Friday the 15th increasing 38% over the same day in 2005, it appears consumers have been throwing caution to the wind in taking advantage of retailer shipping guarantees. ComScore states that online purchases accelerated up until the end of last week.

Single day records for online spending were broken twice in the last week; first on December 11 at $661 million, then on the 13th with $667 million.

I’m glad I’m not working in the postal/shipping industry at the moment - it must be an absolute nightmare!

Given that many USA consumers would have been paid on the 15th, ComScore are predicting continued comparitive strong sales early this week; although looking at the statistics graphs they’ve provided in their report, overall sales will be nothing like last week.

I hope this holiday season has treated your online business well, just under a week to go and then you have a breather - albeit brief - don’t forget the end of year stampede, returns, exchanges and gift cards being cashed in ;).

Read the ComScore holiday online shopping report.