SmallBusinessNewz

Burst Media released some findings from a survey this week, indicating that 85.3% of respondents will shop online this holiday season. This is in line with research from Nielsen who recently found that a good chunk of holiday spending would take place online.

Additional findings from Bust Media include:

- 62.8% of consumers plan to spend the same or cut back on their holiday purchases compared to 2008.

- only 14.6% of respondents expect to spend more this holiday season than they did in 2008

- one third (32.7%) expect to spend less

- 30.1% expect to spend about the same as they did last year

- 38.1% of women plan to spend less on gifts and entertainment, compared to 27.3% of all men

- 29.5% of respondents reporting household income (HHI) of less than $35,000 will cut holiday spending

- about half (46.3%) of households reporting HHI of $35,000-$75,000 will

- nearly one-third (31.3%) of households reporting HHI of $75,000 or more will do so.

"The Internet has undoubtedly become a go-to holiday shopping resource. Despite the fact that 63% of consumers express concern over credit card security when making an online purchase, seven out of ten (69.3%) still plan to make an online holiday purchase," says Burst. "Consumers will also use the Internet to “window shop”. The most popular online window-shopping activities are comparing different retailers to find the best price (56.8%), and comparing the features of different brands (55.3%)."

Burst found that there is really no official kick-off date for holiday shopping. While many consider Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) to be that day, only 13.6% of Bursts's respondents think it's that day.

"There is no denying that consumers will be shopping online this holiday season, and it is clear that the holiday shopping season for consumers has no definitive starting point," said Chuck Moran, Chief Marketing Officer for Burst Media. "This provides an incredible opportunity for marketers to spread their holiday message on the Internet this year. Advertisers can start building awareness now, and quickly change to a more seasonal action as the holidays approach."

Doug just looked at information from the National Retail Federation, which believes holiday sales won't be great compared to years past, but will be up a bit from last year.