Shoppers break Amazon’s holiday records

Shoppers bought more items on Amazon.com this holiday season than any other, according to the company.

More than half of the products sold on Amazon during the holiday season were from small- and medium-sized businesses, the company said in a release.

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Amazon’s free updated delivery help the company with sales. The company said it shipped more than a billion items in the United States for free and millions of items shipped with Prime same-day, one day, two hour and Prime Now delivery options. The last Prime Now order was delivered at 11:30 p.m. Christmas Eve.

The retailer also saw tens of millions of people start Prime free trials or paid memberships to benefit from free shipping, the company said.

»PHOTOS: Luxury home with acre pond, 10 acres of woods listed on market

“This season was our best yet, and we look forward to continuing to bring our customers what they want, in ways most convenient for them in 2019,” said Jeff Wilke, CEO Worldwide Consumer.

Online retail was expected to drastically increase this holiday as consumer shopping habits continue to evolve. Retail spending during the season is forecast to increase nearly 5 percent amid a healthy economy with low unemployment and higher take home wages.

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