UPS’s holiday peak is up from 2009

After two lackluster holiday seasons, US consumers are shopping and shipping again. Much of it is online, where they’re spending more than ever before. As of Friday, shoppers have spent $27.46 billion online since Nov. 1, up 12 percent from last year, according to research firm comScore Inc. Online holiday sales rose just 5 percent between 2008 and 2009.

Retail experts predict holiday spending will increase by 2 to 4 percent over last year.

UPS’s smaller rival, FedEx, had its busiest day last week, when the company predicted it would pick up a record 16 million shipments on Dec. 13. That’s up 13 percent from last year and double that of a normal day.

FedEx defines its busiest day in terms of shipment pick-ups, while UPS marks its busiest day by number of deliveries.

FedEx, based in Memphis, expects to deliver more than 223 million shipments worldwide this holiday season. UPS forecast double that number.

Most deliveries on UPS’s busiest day will come from online retailers. The companies are also benefiting from rising imports of computers and other technology gadgets being ordered by businesses.

Jeff Kauffman, an analyst with research firm Sterne Agee, says that the shipping predictions suggest the economy is faring better than most believe.