Thirty-eight percent of consumers plan to spend more online for holiday gifts this year, a 9 percent increase over last year. This is according to the eBillme Online Spending Index, a quarterly survey conducted by Javelin Strategy and Research. The Index polls 1,200 consumers to measure projected online spending for the quarter and the influencing factors. During the fourth quarter, consumers are planning to spend an average of $283.68 online, a 3 percent increase over Q4 2009.

Consumers plan to take full advantage of the eCommerce channel for holiday spending. Fifteen percent of consumers surveyed plan to do most of their shopping on Cyber Monday, while 55 percent of consumers plan to avoid Black Friday in favor of shopping online, a 7 percent increase over 2009. And when it comes to what shoppers plan to buy, 69 percent know they will purchase at least one gift card for the holidays this year.

This quarter consumers were also asked how long it took to pay off last year’s holiday purchases. Thirty-three percent of respondents enjoyed a debt-free holiday by paying cash for all of last year’s purchases.

- Thirty-nine percent had all purchases paid off in less than three months.

- Twelve percent of consumers said it took three to six months to pay off holiday debt.

- Five percent of consumers needed six to nine months to pay off holiday purchases.

- Five percent of consumers are still paying off last year’s holiday gifts.

“While consumer spending remains cautious for the holidays, our Index shows opportunities for the online retail sector,” says Marwan Forzley, President and CEO of eBillme. “More consumers will turn to the Internet for holiday shopping this year putting online retailers in a better position to attract customers and sales. The fact that 33 percent of consumers shopped without credit cards last year is evidence that consumers are approaching holiday shopping differently. They are saving and spending within their means rather than following the buy now pay later mantra. We expect to see similar shopping habits this year as the number of consumers preferring cash over credit continues to increase.”