The new eDigitalResearch e-retail index has found that traditional high street retailers are now increasing their presence and sales online.

A new study has found that high street shops are now competing more with online retailers for customers.

The latest e-retail index from eDigitalResearch found that traditional high street retailers are making large strides up the rankings, with Marks and Spencer topping the quarterly index for the first time.

Using the firm's eMysteryShopper tool, the 43 top performing retail websites are evaluated to formulate the index, with Next, House of Fraser and BHS all moving up the rankings during the last three months.

Derek Eccleston, head of research at eDigitalResearch, said consumers are now "changing the opinions" about how traditional retailers can "compete online".

He added: "Our recent e-customer service index has already identified that online will continue to grow over the coming year, and with more and more traditional retailers extending their high-street reach online, it is equally vital that they get it right to continue competing with the high standard that pureplay is setting."

Entertainment retailer Game recently announced it had seen an 85 per cent increase in online sales year-on-year in its preliminary results for the 12 months to the end of January 2009.


Article Added: 05/05/2009 09:33:10