Online Holiday Spending Saw Huge Increase

Up 16.5 percent

Retail sales in holiday-related categories such as apparel, electronics and jewelry rose a "decent" 2.3%, according to a Thursday report from MasterCard SpendingPulse.

The so-so upswing from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 improved on the same period in 2012 and was in line with expectations, researchers said.

Overall sales from all categories swelled 3.5%.  

The growth remained modest due to six fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, as well as stormy weather during the final two weekends of the season – normally key consumption time for last-minute shoppers.