AOL subscribers spending up 26% to $1.09bn

Subscribers to AOL, the internet arm of AOL Time Warner Inc, spent some $1.09bn (€1.09bn) shopping online during what is traditionally seen as the first week of holiday shopping in the US.

Online shopping sales by AOL's subscribers rose 26% year-over-year during the US Thanksgiving holiday shopping week, which fell on Nov 25 to Dec 1 this year, it said.

"In what is proving to be a relatively slow growth year for retail overall, online sales are continuing to gain momentum heading into the core holiday period," AOL senior vice president of commerce Patrick Gates said.

The 4 million AOL subscribers who made a purchase during the period spent an average $269 (€269.60) each based on preliminary data and estimated they made 80% of their total holiday purchases during the week online, the internet giant said.

Strong initial sales categories included apparel and accessories; books, movies and music; electronics and toys, AOL said.