Online Holiday Shoppers Relying On Late-Shipping GuaranteesOnline Holiday Shoppers Relying On Late-Shipping Guarantees

Online sales last week were as much as 38% higher than last year, an indication that last-minute holiday shoppers are relying on late-shipping guarantees from retailers to get their presents to friends and family on time, a market researcher says.

As of Dec. 15, U.S. consumers had spent $19.48 billion online this holiday season, an increase of 25% over last year, says comScore Networks, which defines the holiday season as starting on Nov. 1.

Retailers have been tempting slackers to shop online by guaranteeing on-time delivery for items bought as late as Dec. 18. The tactic appears to be working. On Dec. 15, shoppers spent $623.9 million, a 38% increase from the same day a year ago. That was the highest growth rate of the week. "This demonstrates consumers' willingness to rely on retailers' late-season shipping guarantees," Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore Networks, said in a statement.

So far, Dec. 13, was the biggest online shopping day of the year with a record $666.9 million spent, comScore said. The amount was 29% higher than a year ago.