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US internet sales rose at the slowest pace ever during the holiday season as customers reined in spending and retailers slashed prices on items from DVD players to sweaters.
Online spending through December 21 increased 19 per cent to a total of US$26.3 billion ($34.5 billion), from US$22 billion during the same period a year earlier, Reston, Virginia-based ComScore said.
The research firm has forecast a 20 per cent gain for the holidays.
"At this point of the season, the heaviest online spending days are now well behind us," said ComScore Chairman Gian Fulgoni in the statement.
Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City offered discounts of 50 per cent or more and promoted savings for in-store pickup of products purchased online to attract shoppers during what may be the worst holiday shopping season since 2002.
The peak period for internet purchases has passed, said Patti Freeman Evans, a Jupiter Research analyst.
"Everybody goes online, researches their purchases, then goes offline to buy," Evans said.
Shoppers are grappling with US$3-a-gallon petrol and consumer prices that rose the most in more than two years in November.
- BLOOMBERG
