Online sales jumped 16.4 per cent on Christmas Day this year over the same day last year, with the iPad emerging as the leading mobile device for purchases, online retail figure compiled by IBM revealed.

According to the newly released figures, the dollar amount of online purchases climbed a whopping 172.9 per cent over last year, which shows that shoppers' devotion to mobile devices increased drastically over the last one year.

Apple's iOS platform accounted for 13.4 per cent of all online purchases made on Christmas Day. Of the 13.4 per cent iOS' share, the iPad accounted for 7 per cent, while the iPhone accounted for 6.4 per cent of online purchases.

Five per cent of all online purchases on Christmas Day were made via Android devices.

Commenting on the figures, IBM Smarter Commerce unit's chief strategy officer Mr. John Squire said, "The iPad wasn't even around two years ago and now it's the leading mobile device for purchases. Android came out from nowhere last year, and now it is in third place."

IBM compiled online sales figures by tracking shopping at more than 500 websites other than world's most popular online retailer Amazon. com.

Experts say that convenience and shortage of time are two of the main reasons why more and more consumers are turning to shopping via mobile devices.