Worldwide shipping businesses that provide a parcel delivery service for retailers may be pleased to learn the latest breakdown of British consumer spending habits.

While the overall value of retail trade in the UK showed modest increase, the real gains were seen in the non-food, non-store sector, according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG.

This area, which covers online, telephone and mail order sales, usually involves a parcel or courier delivery firm to get the goods from the retailer to the customer.

Sales in this sector surged in August, 17.8 per cent higher than in the same month last year.

BRC director general Stephen Roberston said the figures are a marked improvement on last July and above average for the year.

"Online growth continues to lead other forms of retailing," he added.

Mr Robertson also explained that clothing was one area where sales rose sharply as parents sought to kit out their children for going back to school.

The news come after new figures revealed that the global online trade is worth some €550 billion (£456 billion) a year, with over a third (35 per cent) of this in Europe.