Online retail sales have grown year-on-year, according to new statistics.

Shoppers spent more than £3.8 billion online in August, new figures have shown.

According to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, the figure represents a jump of 16 per cent on statistics for the same time last year.

The study found that sales of beers, wines, spirits, lingerie and other luxuries fell by 17.1 per cent compared to August 2008 and overall sales online dipped by ten per cent on July's levels.

Mike Petevinos, head of retail consulting at the researcher, said that online retail provides many benefits for shoppers and that they are taking advantage of them.

"The key drivers of this growth are clothing, accessories and electricals. Consumers continue to see the benefits of greater choice, price competitiveness and convenience from buying online in these sectors," he stated.

This trend looks set to continue, according to figures from eMarketer, which show that the number of people using online retail sites is likely to rise by five million in the next four years.

Written by Lucy Pritchard


Article Added: 22/09/2009 09:33:02