DALLAS, January 16, 2007 - Chase Paymentech, the leading processor of payment transactions on the internet, has finalized an analysis of results from its inaugural Pulse Index of online shopping activity, compiled during the 2006 holiday shopping season. The season is defined as the period starting on the Sunday immediately prior to Thanksgiving Day through to the first Monday of the New Year.
The Pulse Index tracks an average of 1 million payment transactions each day, and represents the daily payment transaction activity for 10 of the Top 30 U.S. Retail Web Sites (as identified by Internet Retailer Magazine). Chase Paymentech handles the payment processing for these 10 e-tailers, and so is uniquely-positioned to report and interpret this valuable e-commerce benchmark data.
In addition to compiling current activity, the Pulse Index also presents 2005 day-over-day numbers for comparative purposes. This process gives historical context to Index information and helps clarify emergent online shopping trends.
Among the Pulse Index's most pertinent findings this year:
- Net sales this season increased 15% overall, matching expert predictions for the industry, including Forrester Research.
- The 10 leading e-tailers tracked via the Pulse Index totaled $3.262 billion in net sales this season, versus $2.835 billion the previous year.
- A single-day net sales high of $118.8 million was set on Friday, Dec. 15. This was preceded by three straight days of single-day sales of at least $117 million. Each of these days surpassed 2005's one-day high-water mark of $112.8 million.
- Consumers tended to do their online shopping early in the week, with Mondays posting the biggest year-over-year activity gains, while Tuesdays averaged the largest daily net-sales totals.
Based on straight-from-the-source sales and transaction data, the Pulse Index provides insight into the performance of the e-commerce sector.
These results appear to demonstrate an increasing comfort with consumers doing their holiday shopping online and indicate a preference for shopping through the Web, even for time-critical purchases like holiday gifts.
About Chase Paymentech Solutions
Chase Paymentech Solutions, LLC is a leading global payments firm and the world's largest merchant acquirer, transacting payments in 140 currencies. In 2006, the privately-held company processed approximately 18.2 billion payment transactions, with more than $660.6 billion in annual bankcard and debit volume. Chase Paymentech's customer base reflects the most respected brands in the world, including 75 percent of leading ecommerce business and more than 600,000 merchants in nearly 1 million locations worldwide. Chase Paymentech is a joint venture between JPMorgan Chase & Co. and First Data Corp. Learn more at www.chasepaymentech.com.