SmallBusinessNewz

What many people regard as the official start of the holiday shopping season went quite well, according to statistics from comScore.  Indeed - although it's too early to tell for sure - Black Friday appeared to point the way towards retail sites experiencing a better season this year than last.

Online spending between November 1st and November 27th was only a bit higher this time around - 3 percent, or what would often be the rate of inflation.  But the difference between Thanksgivings was bigger - 10 percent - and the difference between Black Fridays was bigger still - 11 percent.

So, as Gian Fulgoni, comScore's chairman, noted in a statement, "[T]his acceleration in spending suggests the online holiday season may be shaping up slightly more optimistically than anticipated . . . .  [T]his is a very encouraging start."

Of course, Fulgoni also said, "[I]t may also reflect the heavy discounting and creative promotions being put forth by retailers that now encompass the use of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.  Cyber Monday - the traditional kick-off to the online holiday shopping season - and the subsequent weeks will be the real test for how online retailers fare this season."

We'll keep our fingers crossed that things continue to move forward in a positive manner, then.