Online retail sales worldwide increased during March, a new study shows.

Online retail sales worldwide increased during March, a new study shows.

Data from the Coremetrics March 2009 Benchmark Report shows the amount of items purchased online during March was 12 per cent higher than the previous month, which will have also led to an increased amount of international parcel delivery to fulfil the orders.

Health and beauty retailers were found to have seen the biggest increase in orders, with the average number of items per order increasing by 6.9 per cent month-on-month.

Jewellery and "intimate apparel retailers" also both experienced an increase in orders.

Coremetric's chief strategy officer John Squire said consumers "regained a measure of confidence about their purchasing power" during the month, just as the stock markets regained "some signs of life".

He added: "We're seeing online purchasing behaviour that is strongly tied to consumer attitudes about the bigger economic picture, and the best retailers out there are finding ways to appeal to consumers who are spending their money more thoughtfully."

A recent study by eBay Advertising found that 83 per cent of people across Europe are now spending more time looking for purchases online than six months ago.


Article Added: 15/04/2009 09:35:31