Holiday Online Shoppers Expected

Online shopping is expected to increase by 25 percent this year over the last holiday season according to a survey conducted by online loyalty marketer MyPoints.com. Gift cards are the present of choice outside immediate family.

Shoppers plan to do 54 percent or more of their holiday shopping online this season. Top shopping categories include apparel (88 percent); holiday and seasonal items (82 percent); and videos and DVDs (79 percent).

Both male and female gift givers find Internet shopping offers several benefits. Twenty-nine percent of women and 34 percent of men say they find the best prices online. Twenty-three percent of women and 24 percent of men find Internet shopping efficient.

Of those surveyed, 48 percent plan to give gifts to between five and 20 people outside their close friends and family networks. Ninety-three percent plan to give gift cards for more casual gift-giving occasions.

“You don’t have to know the people as well,” David Rosen, MyPoints.com SVP marketing, told ClickZ Stats. “The perception of satisfaction is much higher.”

Earlier surveys of the group showed intent to purchase gift cards as early as May and June, said Rosen.

Another break-out area for online holiday spending is travel. Forty-two percent of those surveyed will travel this holiday season, and 90 percent plan to book their travel online. This includes air travel, hotels and car rental.

The online survey was completed by over 1,000 MyPoints.com members. Members are requested to take surveys after completing online transactions throughout the year. Respondents are granted points towards gift cards and other retailer rewards.

Holiday Shopping Trends, 2005
Top Holiday Shopping Categories
Rank	Shopping Category	Percentage
1	Apparel	88
2	Holiday/seasonal items	82
3	Videos and DVDs	79
4	Health and beauty	77
5	Gift cards	75
6	Books and magazine	74
7	Toys and games	73
8	Gourmet food and beverage	72
9	Music	71
10	Home electronics	57
Top Online Holiday Shopping Categories
Rank	Shopping Category	Percentage
1	Books and magazine subscriptions	82
2	Music	82
3	Videos and DVDs	81
4	Toys and games	76
5	Apparel	68
6	Holiday/seasonal items	66
7	Home electronics	63
8	Health and beauty	55
9	Gift cards	50
10	Gourmet food and beverage	50
Source: MyPoints.com, 2005