Online spending ‘up on last year’

Consumers in Britain have markedly increased their online spending compared with last year as they attempt to spread the cost of Christmas, analysts said yesterday.

Shoppers spent a total of £5.2 billion (€6.2 billion) online during October, up 23 per cent on the same time last year, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.

The figures show online sales have grown by 17 per cent so far this year compared with the same period last yesterday, with shoppers spending £46 billion since January.

Yesterday, the Office for National Statistics said retail sales volumes picked up in October amid signs that shoppers brought forward purchases ahead of January’s rise in VAT to 20 per cent.

Today’s figures show a 33 per cent year-on-year increase for the clothing sector, while the gift sector was up 76 per cent compared with September.

Capgemini spokesman Chris Webster said: “The market continues to grow ahead of our expectations and this is a crucial time for e-retailers to beat the competition by using innovative strategies and tactical promotions in the run up to Christmas.