ComScore says online holiday sales up 14 percent

(AP) A report released Thursday says Holiday shoppers spent of $42.3 billion online in November and December, 14 percent more than in the same months a year ago.

ComScore found that shoppers started the holiday season strong in November but a dip in consumer confidence hurt early December sales.

Shoppers picked up spending in the final days of the holiday season. That includes a 76 percent increase on what retailers called Free Shipping Day on Dec. 17th and 36 percent more on Christmas day itself.

ComScore says the online sales growth rate was essentially on a par with last year's, but it missed expectations for a 16 percent increase.