New research claims e-commerce will increase this year despite fears from online retailers.

The amount of money spent online is set to grow by 11 per cent this year and hit $156.1 billion (£103.5 billion), according to a new report.

A study by Forrester Research and Shop.org shows the value of e-commerce will rise from $141.3 billion in 2008, with four out of five retailers claiming online is better than offline to help survive the recession.

Some 54 per cent of respondents admitted they fear that online retail sales will slow over the next 12 months.

This is despite the fact that internet purchases have outpaced traditional high street sales over the last year, with an increase in parcel deliveries needed to fulfil all the additional orders.

Scott Silverman, Shop.org executive director, said: "Retailers everywhere are trying to get their arms around a pullback in consumer spending, and online retailers are no exception."

The recent e-retail index from eDigitalResearch found that traditional high street shops are now making giant strides into the world of online retail.

Marks and Spencer topped the quarterly index for the first time.


Article Added: 06/05/2009 16:10:11