Despite all the news reporting the current dismal state of the U.S. economy, there is at least one sector where the numbers are positive. That sector is online, as two recent reports found that the popularity of Internet shopping has increased this year when compared to 2009's numbers.

One of the reports comes from ComScore, a marketing research firm. ComScore surveyed consumers between November 1 and December 20 regarding their shopping habits for 2010, and found a 12 percent increase in online spending over last year. In addition, ComScore's report found that this year's weekend before Christmas saw the most online spending ever, at $5.5 billion. The $5.5 billion in online spending was a 17 percent increase over 2009's weekend before Christmas.

As far as the major online shopping dates are concerned, ComScore found that all were improved over last year. Thanksgiving Day's cyber sales rose 28 percent, while Black Friday's (November 26) online sales increased nine percent. Cyber Monday (November 29) saw a 16 percent increase. Free Shipping Day (December 17) increased the most at 61 percent. Coremetrics, a web analytics firm, released a report last month that found Black Friday's online sales to be even better, noting a 16 percent increase over 2009.

ComScore's positive statistics were reinforced by another recent report, released by MasterCard. The credit card company's SpendingPulse report compiled statistics in its payment network and combined them with survey results to reveal more positive numbers for online spending during 2010's holiday season.  From October 21 to December 24, the SpendingPulse report found that online sales rose 15.4 percent over 2009. It also found that this year's Monday after Thanksgiving saw a 25.4 increase in online sales when compared to the same day last year, as it registered $999.3 million in e-commerce receipts. Even more impressive was the finding that six days within the 2010 holiday season surpassed the $1 billion mark in online sales. Only three days reached that milestone in 2009.

MasterCard's report broke down the types of purchases being made online as well. Surprisingly, the report found that apparel was purchased the most, showing that consumers are becoming more trusting of online retailers. Electronics were another popular online shopping choice, as was jewelry.

The new statistics released concerning online sales are likely a sign of things to come. As it stands, online sales are said to make up only one-tenth of all purchases. If numbers keep increasing at the rate they did this year, however, online sales are sure to make a push towards taking a piece out of the more traditional shopping pie.

There are several reasons for the increased popularity of online shopping. Perhaps the main one is that it is seen as a convenient, stress-free shopping alternative to long lines in malls and traditional stores.  Online shopping also allows consumers to easily research products and compare prices. The increasing presence of social media and mobile devices also offer new ways for consumers to find favorable prices and sales. The combination of online shopping's convenience and its upward trending numbers give it a bright future as an alternative to traditional shopping methods.

For more on this topic, visit http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20026608-93.html?tag=cnetRiver

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