An article about holiday Internet purchases published by the New York Times notes that while a sharp increase has been recorded in online sales during the last two months, a decrease has been noted in the sale of jewelry and watches over the web.

The article notes that an analysis of statistical data reveals that this year`s hot items are mainly practical products like furniture and household goods, which constituted 70% of Internet purchases.

Andrew Lipsman of comScore told the New York Times that “Some of the bigger losers were luxury goods. In better economic conditions, that category was growing faster."

Lipsman added that jewelry sales via the web have plummeted in comparison to last year, but he refrained from providing figures because even a few large purchases could change the picture.

Despite the gloomy reports, ice.com states that the average transaction on the website rose from $220 last year to $285 this year. The website also noted that this holiday season`s sales were especially good.

According to figures provided by comScore, the total expenditure on Internet purchases increased this year. Annual household incomes exceeding $100,000 are spending roughly 28 percent more on online purchases this holiday season. Middle-class households earning between $50,000 and $100,000 are spending 17 percent more online. Households earning less than $50,000 annually are currently spending 10 percent more on the web than last year.