Another survey is pointing to a big year for holiday shopping — and shipping.
Sixty-two percent of consumers plan to shop online this year, up from 56 percent in 2015, according to a report this week from NPD Group, a business research firm.
Online sales spikes often drive big increases in shipping.
Two in 10 consumers have already started shopping, according to the survey.
The most popular purchases will include clothing and electronics.
Overall, consumers plan to spend an average $636 on holiday purchases this year, up 3 percent from in 2015.
“All signs point to a holiday retail season that will outperform last year’s. This year’s intense election cycle has done little to dampen consumer confidence going into the holiday season,” said Marshal Cohen, NPD’s chief industry analyst.
A survey released last week by the National Retail Federation predicts online holiday sales could increase as much as 10 percent this year.