25 February 2008, 15:08 PM
  • While many fear a catastrophic year for the retail industry, the reality is altogether very different when it comes to online sales, which reached a record high of £4.5bn last January.

The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index revealed that each Brit spent an average of £74 online, which is a year-on-year increase of 75%. The growth in sales volume over the last three months is more than double that of the same period last year and it is the highest level since 2003.

Anthoula Madden, vice president at Capgemini UK’s consumer products and retail team, says, “The index shows that January sales are as large a phenomenon online as they are on the high street, with the overall online market continuing to show strong growth.”

Jo Evans, managing director at IMRG, adds, “Our members report that they have seen better than ever growth and larger retailers have had a particularly successful month. The internet is clearly allowing shoppers to make the most of sales periods and avoid the hectic high streets.”