Since November 1, a record $110.6 billion has been spent online with sales up 18 percent compared to last year where online sales at this time totaled $93.9 billion, said Adobe Analytics in a new report.  With still a few days to go before Christmas, total internet spending is expected to hit $126 billion this holiday season. That’s compared to Adobe’s earlier prediction that U.S. online sales would total $124.1 billion. 

The jump in online sales comes as more and more retailers have been improving their websites, and offering better shipping and return policies. This season, many shoppers have also been buying online and picking up items in-store, with the practice increasing 119 percent since January 2018, according to Adobe.  More consumers are also turning to their smartphones to make purchases, which is increasingly easy. Smartphones are expected to represent 48.3 percent of visits and 27.2 percent of revenue. Tablets however, are on the decline.  “Weary holiday shoppers continue to look for alternatives to crowded stores, long lines and empty shelves in the final push to Christmas,” explained Taylor Schreiner, director of digital insights at Adobe.  “Retailers who can offer the easiest shopping experience, whether through excellent use of data to anticipate shoppers’ needs or by providing an option for picking up products at brick-and-mortar stores, are the ones people are flocking to this week.”