International couriers delivering parcels to the UK would undoubtedly have sensed last month's boost in business.

Online spending in the UK hit £5 billion in July, with the sector experiencing its highest growth in three years, according to figures from IMRG Capgemini.

The index grew by 18 per cent compared to July 2009, with spending on accessories, which may have been shipped from overseas, growing by nearly two-thirds compared to 12 months earlier.

International couriers operating in the health and beauty industry may not have been so pleased with the figures. This category has seen the smallest level of growth over the 12-month period.

Commenting on the findings, Capgemini head of retail consulting and technology Chris Webster described the results as "really encouraging".

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics earlier this month suggested that the value of internet retail sales in July, grew to an eight per cent proportion of total retail sales.