Three out of 10 major online retailers offered new payment methods as an alternative to credit cards in December 2007, according to a study by Brulant.

That is up from the 24% of major online retailers who offered such payment methods in February 2007.

More than one-fifth of online retailers surveyed offered Bill-Me-Later. PayPal was a close second,with 19% offering it as a payment option. One out of 10 online merchants studied accepted Google Checkout for payment.

“One of the most surprising findings is the increase in retailers offering all three alternative payment methods,” said Brulant principal Adam Cohen. “Today we find 5% adoption of all three, at a variety of retailers from Toys ‘R Us to PetSmart to Rite Aid."

More than three-quarters of online retailers surveyed accepted private label gift cards as a payment method.

PayPal saw the largest increase in adoption between February and December 2007 at 217%. Adoption of Google Checkout doubled during the same period.