Visits to online shopping sites have increased 33% during week six of the holiday season over the same week last year, Internet audience measurement firm Nielsen//NetRatings reported yesterday.
“Online shopping has increased over last year because both new and experienced Internet buyers are not only researching products and comparing prices online before making a purchase, but they are also finding good holiday discounts online,” said Heather Dougherty, senior retail analyst, Nielsen//NetRatings, in a statement.
The fastest growing category during the week ending Dec. 4 was Books/Music/Video, which increased in shopping visits by 238% compared with Week 6 of the 2004 holiday season, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. Apparel ranked No. 2 in year-over-year growth with an increase of 38%, while Toys/Video Games, Retail and Consumer Electronics rounded out the top five year-over-year fastest growing categories, each with 28% growth, the New York-based company reported.
According to Nielsen//NetRatings, the company monitors visits to more than 100 online retailers across ten categories.
