Online Holiday Sales Hitting Record Highs

A study shows consumers are more comfortable shopping for gifts online.

Less than two weeks into the holiday shopping season, online retail sales are far exceeding last year's totals, according to new research by Chase Paymentech Solutions.

An analysis of 10 of the top 30 retail web sites nationwide found sales were up by more than 30 percent from the same period last year, including the largest one-day total in the three-year history of the study, according to the Dallas-based payments firm.

"The aggressiveness of retailer promotions is certainly a factor, but the overall comfort level that consumers have with the overall shopping experience is likely driving this very promising growth," research analyst Sucharita Mulpuru said in a statement.