AOL Rings Up $2.5 Billion in Sales
Two-thirds of more than 20 million America Online members shopped online this holiday season--including 2.5 million first-time shoppers. Together, these shoppers caused the portal's holiday retail sales to surge to $2.5 billion.
The total more than doubles last holiday season's rate of $1.2 billion and amounts to more than 60% of the $4 billion that Forrester Research estimates consumers spent online between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.
AOL, which is based in Dulles, Va., also reports that its members spent an average of $300 online during the holiday season, up 50% from 1998. What's more, almost 95% say they are likely to shop online again within the next six months.
For the third consecutive year, mainstream consumer products emerged as the most popular retail categories on Shop@AOL. Apparel, kids toys, consumer electronics, books, music and video were AOL's top categories.
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