Holiday online shopping - online retail sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 25 - reached $18.11 billion, up 25 percent from $14.5 billion in the same period last year; moreover, online sales for the two weeks before Christmas up 31 percent, reports InternetRetailer, citing comScore figures. The year-over-year growth was in part the result of aggressive price discounting and consumer confidence in expedited shipping, according to comScore.

Computer hardware was top ranked in sales volume, with $4.1 billion, up 14 percent. Apparel and accessories accounted for $3.0 billion in online sales, up 37 percent. Consumer electronics rose 20 percent, reaching $1.3 billion.

Sports and fitness product online sales were up 49 percent. Online sales of gift certificates were up 19 percent.