Toy Websites Play Big
November witnessed a boom in the retail sub-categories of toys, electronics, and department stores, with growth rates surpassing 30% from October figures. Toy websites magnetized 27.4 million U.S. visitors, marking a substantial 33% rise. Leading the trail, Toysrus reported an impressive 82% surge, recording 14.8 million visits. Other notable mentions include the LEGO Group with a 12% increase, Disney Shopping growing by 29%, and AmericanGirl.com witnessing a 44% growth.
A Statement on Online Shopping Trends
Jack Flanagan, the executive vice president of Media Metrix, noted the significant role of the internet in holiday shopping. “The vast majority of Americans – almost 80% – utilized an online retail platform in November, emphasizing its pivotal role for retailers,” he said.
Electronics on the Rise
Consumer electronics sites registered 52.8 million visitors, up 32% from October. Leading the brigade, Best Buy boasted nearly 25 million visitors. Other big players included Walmart Electronics with a whopping 139% growth and Radio Shack, pulling in 5.1 million visitors.
Department Stores See Surge
Online department stores weren’t left behind, marking a 33% growth and a remarkable 81 million unique visitors. Retail giants included Walmart and Target, with 62% and 43% growth, respectively. Meanwhile, Sears, JCPenney, and Macy’s also posted substantial visitor increases.
Coupons: The Unsung Heroes
Coupon websites emerged as the third highest-gaining category, expanding by 33%. Websites such as Coupons, Inc. and RetailMeNot experienced significant growth, with BlackFriday.Info seeing an extraordinary 1,000% spike in activity.
Spending Habits and Notable Comparisons
In terms of overall spending, November 2008 faced the brunt of the economic crisis. However, a decade later, online expenditure saw a 10% year-on-year growth, accumulating nearly $12.3 billion in sales. Events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday also saw promising numbers with sales figures of $595 million and $887 million respectively.
Search Engine Dominance
In the realm of search engines, Google continued its dominance with 65.6% of the U.S. market share. Yahoo and Microsoft followed suit, with Ask and AOL completing the top five.
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