According to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse:

“eCommerce was the strongest category, easily outperforming all other categories covered by the SpendingPulse report. This channel had a very strong start to the season, posting growth in the 30% range on Black Friday. On Monday, November 26, online sales grew at 40%. December 4 was the first of a series of record breaking days, followed by December 11, 12 and 13, the latter posting the biggest single daily volume. The season finished showing an overall year over year growth rate of 22.4%.”

• Overall Holiday Season Retail Grows 3.6%, MasterCard SpendingPulse Finds

This is great news that online sales was the best performing category out of sectors, such as: apparel, electronics and luxury in-store retail sales. Overall, 22.4% is a very good growth rate compared to the previous holiday season and with more than one record breaking day, it is a good indicator that more people are flocking online for better discounts and ease of shopping.

Green Monday Leads Holiday Season Sales with $881 Million

According to comScore, last minute shoppers seeking Christmas deals by December 21st helped sales move up 25%. Online retailers offered delivery before Christmas if orders were placed by December 22nd and “in-store pickup” if orders were placed before Christmas Eve. Green Monday (December 10th) had the highest spending day throughout the holiday season with “$881 million in sales.”

• Flurry of Online Spending by Procrastinators and Deal-Seekers Leads to Strong Final Week of Pre-Christmas Shopping, With Sales Up 25 Percent Versus Year Ago

It is good to notice which days of the holiday season have a greater spark in order to attract the right audience at the right time with the right message.

Holiday Sales Rise to $29 Billion

According to comScore, the holiday season in the months during November to December produced roughly $28 billion in online sales or 19% from the previous year. Online consumers really enjoy the after Christmas sales and promotions as online sales doubled from the previous year to $545 million. Online retail sales for the year ends up roughly around 20% from the previous year at more than $120 billion USD.

• Online Holiday Spending Through December 27 Nears $28 Billion, Up 19 Percent Versus Year Ago

The day after Christmas is another good day to promote online sales. However, online sales throughout the year may be an excellent means to hit your audience at the right time with online marketing since online sales continues to rise year by year.