According to comScore Networks, confidence in online commerce grew dramatically in November and December.
Online holiday spending for the two months reached an estimated $24.6 billion dollars, surpassing analysts’ estimates. The figure represents a 25-percent increase over the $17 billion spent in the same period last year.
Has this translated into an increase in purchases of online adult entertainment? It depends on whom you ask.
“Though we are constantly seeing a steady increase in business at HotMovies.com, this holiday season HotMovies.com experienced a rise in traffic and revenue comparable to the rise in revenue of the entire online business community,” noted Affiliate Manager Robert Y. “ The old purchasing methods are being replaced by online shopping, whether it is for holiday gifts or adult material.
“The holiday season is stressful, and people need to relieve their stress somehow,” he said.
Dave Levine, president of Sextoy.com, had a different experience. Last month, Google changed its search placement program, now charging stores for search returns, and that slightly diminished sales, he said.
“On the whole, this year’s sales were on par with last years,” Levine noted, adding that the only area that is like “Christmas every day” is video-on-demand, which is “constantly booming.”
