The number of different people visiting shopping sites at home and at work during Thanksgiving week increased 43% compared to the same week last year, according to Jupiter Media Metrix. "E-commerce activity is alive and well in the midst of an otherwise difficult economic environment," said Charles Buchwalter, vice president, media research, Jupiter Media Metrix.

eBay experienced a 57% increase, reaching 4 million average daily unique visitors, up from 2.5 million last year. Other top sites were Amazon (up 49% to 2.3 million visitors) and Mypoints.com (up 31% to 1.8 million visitors).

This year's top three categories are: auctions, books and computers. These categories experienced the highest growth in total average daily visitors versus last year: auctions grew by 1.3 million to 4.3 million; computers grew by 1.1 million to 3.1 million; and books grew by 1.0 million to 3.1 million.

Jupiter Media Metrix released the first installment of its weekly Holiday 2001 E-Commerce Series last week, and more information can be found on their Web site at http://www.jmm.com.

In related news, online antiques-mall TIAS.com says it has seen a 44% increase in sales for the first week in November compared to the same week last year. By the end of November, sales volume showed a total increase of 59.6% for all of November 2001 as compared to November 2000. "If November is any indication, online sales for antiques and collectibles in December are going to be very significant this year," said Phillip Davies, president of TIAS.com.