Women outclick men

Women are slightly more likely than men to be online shoppers this year, according to Retail Forward Inc.

That’s a “significantly different picture from the early days of online shopping when men dominated the ranks,” said Mary Brett Whitfield, the research firm’s senior vice president.

And it’s good news for online retailers because women are the primary shoppers in most U.S. households.

In fact, women are credited with sending several merchandise categories higher this year, according to The State of Retailing Online 8.0, an annual Shop.org study conducted by Forrester Research.

Online sales of cosmetics and fragrances are expected to increase 33 percent this year, and flowers, cards and gifts are expected to be up 30 percent. Jewelry and luxury goods also benefit from women’s move to the Web.