First, the one-day record for US online retail sales was set on Cyber Monday 2006, November 27, when sales reached $608 million.
According to comScore Networks, a mere one week later, on Monday, December 4, a new single-day spending record was established as consumers spent $647 million online — $39 million more than the total spent on Cyber Monday.
But, as the old come-on says, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!"
On Monday, December 11, consumers spent $661 million, breaking the record for a third time this year.
And only two days later, on Wednesday, December 13, the record was broken again, with $667 million spent online in a single day.
Commenting on the record-setting pace, Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore Networks, said, "This demonstrates consumers' willingness to rely on retailers' late-season shipping guarantees."
comScore estimates that US consumer retail (non-travel) online spending for the 2006 holiday season through December 15 — the first 45 days of the holiday season — reached over $19 billion, marking a 25% increase vs. the corresponding days in 2005.
"Later shipping deadlines this season and the fact that many consumers received a paycheck on December 15 could keep online sales in full swing early next week," said Mr. Fulgoni.
To see how reality is stacking up vs. the pre-season predictions, read eMarketer's Online Holiday Shopping Preview report.