By Avi Krawitz
RAPAPORT… Online retail monitor comScore reported that jewelry was among the worst performers in the first five days of December, recording sales 22 percent lower than in 2007. Across all categories, however, sales in the period from Cyber Monday (December 1) through December 5 rose 9 percent to $3.74 billion compared with 2007, according to comScore.
From the beginning of November to December 5, sales were basically flat at $14.92 billion. During this period, comScore reported, the two biggest spending days were Cyber Monday and the following day, December 2, when sales reached $846 million and $823 million, respectively. “The online holiday shopping season has picked up noticeably since Thanksgiving, as consumers have given in to the holiday spirit — and very attractive retailer discounts,” said Gian Fulgoni, comScore’s chairman.
Fulgoni warned, however, that the growth in online sales since Cyber Monday needs to be put in perspective, as the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year is five days shorter than in 2007. “[W]e need to see continued strong growth during the critical weeks between today and Christmas if this year’s shopping season is to at least match that of last year,” he said.
Along with jewelry, two other categories showed negative growth for the period: an 8 percent drop in sales of flowers, greeting cards and gifts, and a 22 percent decline in music, movies and videos. The strongest category was sports and fitness equipment, which was up 35 percent, followed by a 24 percent increase in consumer electronics, and a 16 percent rise in apparel and accessories. ComScore did not provide total sales figures for individual categories.
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Source: www.diamonds.net/news
