New sales data demonstrates that holiday shoppers just don't want to wait until November 25 to begin their yearly spending spree. According to digital sales researcher comScore, e-shoppers spent $12.7 billion in the first 25 days of November - a 15 percent increase over the same period last year.
Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday also posted big yearly gains, proving that broadband Internet access, great deals and being too stuffed to move is a tempting mix.
Online consumers spent $479 million on Thanksgiving Day and $816 million on Black Friday, revealed comScore. Amazon proved the most popular online retailer, followed by Walmart. Apple rounded out the top five.
"Despite some analysts' predictions that the flurry of brick-and-mortar retailers opening their doors early for Black Friday would pull dollars from online retail, we still saw a banner day for e-commerce with more than $800 million in spending," said Gian Fulgoni, comScore chairman. "With brick-and-mortar retail also reporting strong gains on Black Friday, it's clear that the heavy promotional activity had a positive impact on both channels."
Despite all-around double-digit growth, Fulgoni added that Cyber Monday would still set a new record, shattering last year's $1 billion in sales.
The Consumer Electronics Association estimated that of the 117 million people shopping during the extended holiday weekend, 48 percent will buy some type of CE device. There's something out there for everyone, said CEA Director of Research Shawn DuBravac.
"The holiday shopping season got off to a strong start as many hit the stores or went online to kick-off their holiday shopping as soon as they finished Thanksgiving dessert," explained DuBravac. "These bargain hunters were able to find the deals they were after."
Digital cameras, tablets and video game consoles were just three "must-have gifts" for CE shoppers, he added.
Let us know what CE deals you scored this weekend in the comment section.
