Consumer spending expectations continue to rise as Christmas approaches, according to Retail Forward's Future Spending Index, which rose to 97.3 at the start of December, up from 96.8 at the beginning of November and 94.0 in October, reports Internet Retailer. Shoppers plan to spend $671 on average during the holidays, with clothing the most popular gift category, followed by toys, books, music and electronics.

Online stores are the third most popular type of holiday shopping venue, with 38 percent of surveyed consumers planning to shop online, according to the survey; 61 percent will shop at discount stores and 38 percent at value department stores.

Meanwhile, customer satisfaction measurement company ForeSee Results said that along with record traffic and sales Cyber Monday saw a boost in customer satisfaction - 2.5 percent higher than weekly levels measured since the end of October - writes InternetNews.

"Retail sites saw record traffic levels but were still able to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of their holiday shoppers," Larry Freed, president and CEO of ForeSee Results, said in a statement.