Amazon Reports "Best Ever" Holiday Sales For 2008

December 26, 2008 3:07 p.m. EST

Seattle, WA (AHN) - While other retailers felt the sting from the nation's economic woes, Amazon.com Inc. said Friday that the 2008 holiday season was the online retailer's "best ever," with more than 6.3 million items ordered and 5.6 million units shipped during its peak day on December 15.

Amazon's successful holiday shopping revenue, which usually accounts for 30 to 50 percent of a company's annual total, was a welcome change from the mostly dismal retail sales recorded this holiday season. Rising unemployment, the housing crisis, the stock market's decline, and consumer's tightened budget all contributing to the overall downturn in sales.

Amazon's strong holiday sales were helped by such bestselling items as the Nintendo Wii, Samsung's 52-inch LCD HDTV, and the Apple iPod touch. Some analysts also suggest that Amazon's competitive position was actually strengthened by the downturn, as some retailers were forced to close stores due to difficulty obtaining inventory and moving items.