David Smith, director of operations at the Interactive Media in Retail Group, says online retail will flourish.

At present online retail makes up around ten per cent of all sales, however, this figure will grow to 50 per cent by the end of the decade, an industry expert has said.

David Smith, director of operations at the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), stated that the growing number of high street brands giving consumers the option of shopping in this way will have a major impact.

In addition, the rise of broadband is making it easier for more people to purchase goods online, he added, while the UK's geography is another key issue.

"By the end of this decade we should be looking at around 50 per cent [of sales being] e-commerce - not just retail, but including travel and ticketing and all that sort of thing as well," Mr Smith stated.

According to research for Kelkoo, conducted by the Centre for Retail Research, UK consumers spent £38 billion online last year, an average of £1,102 per shopper.

Posted by Laura Rathbone


Article Added: 05/02/2010 09:27:51