The amount of money being spent on internet, mail-order and phone transactions in July was 20 per cent higher than 12 months ago, figures have revealed.

New research has suggested that Brits' parcel delivery needs are on the rise, as the amount being spent at home has risen.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG's latest figures have revealed that non-food, non-store sales – which include online, mail-order and phone sales – were 20 per cent higher in July than 12 months ago.

Sharon Hardiman, head of non-store retailing at the BRC, suggested that a number of factors may have boosted the category.

"Clearance discounts, especially on homewares, furniture and seasonal fashion, produced the strongest online sales growth for non-food goods this year," she added.

"The combination of hard-up households holidaying at home and some wet weather keeping people indoors may have encouraged shopping from home."

Figures from PayPal recently revealed that men spent more online than women during the first six months of this year.


Article Added: 11/08/2009 15:44:19