Also. ..

* U.S. shoppers spent an average of $1,558 on holiday items and services in 1999, up about 36% from the $1,148 of 1998, according to the American Express retail index. The index, which is based on surveys of consumers and retailers, found that the proportion of Internet shoppers nearly tripled, with 16% of U.S. consumers buying gifts online in 1999, compared with 6% in 1998.