Consumers spent $143.2 million at online retail and travel sites last year, up 22 percent from 2004's $117.2 million. Excluding travel, the total came to $82.3 million, marking a 24 percent jump from
2004. A retail shopping spree from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 before the holidays accounted for $19.6 million of that total, reflecting a 25 percent increase from the same time last year.
--Wendy Davis