E-shopping enjoys another yearly boost

17.02.2012

The UK's online shopping sector has seen another consecutive annual growth in sales, figures show. The data from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index showed that throughout January Britons spent £6 billion online, comparable to each person spending £118. It indicates an increase of 16% year-on-year. Chris Webster, head of retail consulting and technology at Capgemini, said: "The steady march of customers moving from the high street to online channels continues and, if anything, accelerates as savvy shoppers look to make their wages stretch further." Surprisingly, after five months of waning figures, sales in travel and tourism rocketed by 205% compared to December's figures. On average Britons are now spending more than £1,000 on booking their dream break, a lot more than in the years following December 2008 when information on travel sales was first recorded. Despite tight budgets, the findings show a trend of wealthier shoppers having the finances to book the best holidays they can afford. Copyright Press Association 2012