As the largest retail shopping season of the year approaches, e-commerce retailers can expect a surge in consumer spending compared to the previous quarter. Consumers anticipate that they will spend an average of $281 online during Q4 2009, a 24 percent increase over last quarter. While this represents the first increase in spending since last year, it is an 18 percent decrease in the overall spending rate as compared to Q4 2008. This is according to the eBillme , Online Spending Index, a quarterly survey examining consumer spending trends online. The survey is conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research and released quarterly by eBillme. The Index polls 1,200 consumers to measure projected online spending for the quarter and the influencing factors, including the economy, security, and financial control.
