Research firm comScore Networks has published a survey indicating that online holiday spending is up 26% from last year, with game software and hardware being two of the top five categories benefiting from the jump. In the 50 days leading up to December 20th, game console sales were up 54% and packaged software saw a 65% increase. Total holiday spending over the internet reached $21.68 billion, with $1.5 billion spent in the first three days of the last work week before Christmas alone.

I am certain the Wii and PS3 launches played a large part in those numbers, especially with every PS3 sold equaling the same amount spent on 2-3 consoles in previous years. On top of that there's the $10 rise in games for the PS3 and 360, and a general trend away from brick and mortar retailers to begin with. Still pretty amazing numbers when you get right down to it. Michael Fahey

Comscore: Late Holiday Spending Boosts Game Biz [Gamasutra]