Online Christmas sales rise
Updated on 15 January 2009
Hard pressed Christmas shoppers turned to the internet with online sales up nearly 15% on a year ago, according to new figures.
Shoppers spent more than £4.67 billion online last month - the equivalent of £76.67 for every person in the UK - according to the IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group) Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.
While the figures were up 14.2% on December 2007, monthly growth fell for the first time since December 2002, with consumers spending 1.5% less online than in November. This fall was put down to November's record high online sales.
Capgemini UK's Mike Petevinos said: "This is the first recession we have seen where online will play a significant role in mainstream spending.
"Our research provides further evidence that consumers are turning to the internet as the most efficient way to save money in the downturn.
"It is also clear that retailers are seizing the potential of the internet to reach shoppers with targeted discounts and promotions."
While online sales of alcohol in December were up 13% from November, they were down 16% compared to December 2007. Clothing remained flat from November but was up 32% compared to a year ago. Lingerie and health and beauty sectors saw declines both month on month and year on year.
The index tracks online sales using data provided by about 70 online retailers.
Additional consumer research from Capgemini found 44% of consumers used the web to research prices, 37% did more than half their shopping online and 60% spent more online this Christmas than last year.
The poll of 2,000 shoppers revealed 21% of consumers often or always buy clothing in multiple sizes so they can return what does not fit. Some 20% were put off buying clothes because of the difficulty returning them and 24% were put off because they could not check the quality.
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