Online Holiday Shopping Stats & Most Searched Gifts

Following up a report that online-only retailers experienced an 11% increase in visits for Black Friday 2008 (over 2007), Hitwise released additional numbers for Cyber Monday 2008, traditionally expected to be a better day in terms of online traffic and sales for e-tailers.

Cyber Monday 2008 snapshot

Among the top 500 Retail Web sites, the percentage of U.S. visits were down 1% on Cyber Monday 2008, compared to 2007.
U.S visits to Brick and Mortar store Web sites (100 total) were down>4% on Cyber Monday.
U.S visits to Online-only Web sites (100 total) were up 5% on on Cyber Monday.
U.S visits to the Comparison Shopping Web sites were down 21% on yber Monday.
U.S visits to the Catalog Web sites were down 4% on Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday visits to top retailers

Percentages based on U.S. visits to the top 500 Retail Web sites.

Amazon.com – 10.77%
Walmart.com – 8.55%
Target.com – 4.56%
BestBuy.com – 3.81%
Sears.com – 2.74%

Amazon.com’s traffic increased 21% on Cyber Monday 2008 vs. 2007. Walmart.com’s traffic increased 6%.

The search is on for the perfect gift

Meanwhile, search engines Google and Lycos released the hottest gifts and most searched for products this holiday season. Google Product search released a 2008 Holiday Shopping guide, complete with special offers to use Google Checkout.

Google’s most searched gifts:

nintendo wii
wii fit
ipod touch
xbox 360
nintendo ds
ipod nano
uggs
nikon d90
zune
digital picture frame

Lycos.com Top 10 toy searches

iPod
Poker
Naruto
Pokemon
Dragonball
Barbie
Inuyasha
Blackjack
Webkinz
Wii

In the video game wars, Xbox 360 is beating out Playstation 3 on Lycos for most wanted game console, and Guitar Hero World Tour is well ahead of Rock Band 2. Most popular video games include 1) RuneScape, 2) Halo 3, 3) Final Fantasy XIII, 4) Diablo III and 5) Grand Theft Auto IV.

Elisabeth Osmeloski As managing editor of Search Engine Land, Elisabeth oversees the site’s logistics and performance, as well as posting updates from the travel search industry, reporting user search trends and online shopping news. She also runs her own blog covering the travel vertical and search marketing for luxury and lifestyle brands at AdventuresinSearch.com.

See more articles by Elisabeth Osmeloski >

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