comScore Media Networks finds that Internet shopping has joined offline shopping as a Thanksgiving weekend pastime.

With more homes having broadband connections, bargain shoppers need not wait for "Black Friday" or brave the day-after-Thanksgiving crowds to take advantage of holiday sales. Online holiday shopping started on Thanksgiving this year, accounting for a boost in traffic over last year's holiday season.

comScore Networks expects online non-travel (retail) spending will exceed $15 billion during the November/December holiday shopping season, representing an increase of 23 percent to 26 percent compared to last year’s season. Total non-travel quarterly spending will cross the $20 billion threshold for the first time ever in Q4 2004.

	Holiday Season Forecast Non-Travel Online Consumer Spending Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases Source: comScore Networks   2003 (in billions) 2004 (in billions) Percentage Change Year-to-date (through Nov. 26) $42.8 $56.4 25% Holiday Season (November/December) $12.3 $15.1-15.5* 23-26%* Q4 2004 $16.7 $20.7-21.1* 24-26%* Full Year $52.9 $65.8-66.2* 25%* *comScore Networks forecast

Season to Date

Online retail spending in the season-to-date through Friday, November 26 totaled $5.7 billion, an increase of 23 percent compared to $4.6 billion during the corresponding days in 2003.

Sales during the five days ending Friday, November 26 (“Black Friday”) were particularly strong, helping to offset somewhat softer sales earlier in November. Between Monday, November 22 and Friday, November 26, online retail sales were $1.23 billion, an increase of 35 percent compared to the corresponding days in 2003.

While Thanksgiving is still a comparatively light online shopping day, spending was up dramatically compared to last year. This year, consumers spent $133 million online on Thanksgiving, an increase of 100 percent compared to the $67 million spent online last year.

Americans spent $250 million online on “Black Friday,” up 41 percent compared to $178 million in 2003. The strong growth on Thanksgiving Day and “Black Friday” are likely partially driven by increased home broadband penetration, making the online shopping process faster and more convenient.

	2004 Holiday Season to Date vs. Corresponding Days in 2003 Non-Travel Online Consumer Spending Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases Source: comScore Networks   2003 (in billions) 2004 (in billions) Percentage Change 11/1/2004 through 11/26/2004 $4.64 $5.73 23%

Thanksgiving Weekend and “Black Monday” 2003

Americans spent more than $500 million online during Thanksgiving weekend last year. Thanksgiving Day and the Friday afterward are not typically associated with strong online spending, as consumers spend time with their families on Thursday and shop offline on Friday. Last year, consumers spent more than $300 million on “Black Monday,” online retail’s version of “Black Friday”, as Americans returned to the workplace -- long a favorite location from which to shop online.

	Thanksgiving Weekend and “Black Monday” Non-Travel Online Consumer Spending Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases Source: comScore Networks   Non-Travel Sales (in million) 2003 Thanksgiving Weekend (Thurs-Sun) $553 “Black Monday” $300