Sales rose by 3.8 per cent in December.

The latest figures from the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index show that consumers spent the equivalent of £88.93 each buying goods over the internet last month.

UK shoppers spent £5.46 billion online, with sales rising by 3.8 per cent compared to November.

The second week of the month was the peak time for online retail, a week later than it was the previous year due to November's postal strikes, consumers waiting for bargains and increased confidence in parcel delivery services.

James Cooper, chief executive of IMRG, said: "The latest index figures prove yet again that online shopping thrives on adversity. The sector managed to deliver strong double-digit growth in 2009 despite the economy being in recession, aggressive high street competition, extreme weather and even postal strikes in the run-up to Christmas."

He added that 2010 will be a strong year for online retail, with consumers looking to the internet for bargains and special offers.

The British Retail Consortium's Retail Sales Monitor showed online sales jumped by 16.9 per cent in December compared to the previous month's figure.

Posted by Laura Rathbone



Article Added: 25/01/2010 09:30:42