Online holiday spending to increase 5% in 2005, reach $435 bln

The National Retail Federation estimates total holiday spending during 2005 holiday season will increase 5% over 2004 to $435 bln. Online sales are expected to jump 22% to $172 bln, a figure that includes online travel purchases. If the $62 bln expected from online travel were taken out, online retail sales for the holidays would be $110 bln, which equates to an impressive 25% of holiday spending. Online sales now account for 13% of total retail sales for the year.