Savvy Shoppers Drive Robust Online Holiday Sales

Despite an economy that continues to be tough for many consumers, another strong US online holiday shopping season is taking shape. Consumers will turn to the internet to stay within their budgets, locate hard-to-find gifts and avoid crowded stores, according to a new eMarketer report, "Online Holiday Shopping Forecast and Trends." U.S. retail ecommerce holiday sales (excluding travel) will reach $54.5 billion in 2012, up 16.8% over last year, according to eMarketer estimates. This will be the fourth consecutive year that online holiday sales (defined as sales in November and December) post annual growth in the mid-to-high teens