Online retail sales 'growing rapidly'

11:03 13th January 2010

Companies in Lancashire could benefit from embracing an online retail presence in the near future, an expert has suggested.

Sharon Hardiman, head of non-store retailing for the British Retail Consortium, said that while web-based activity currently accounts for four per cent of overall sales, the figure is growing.

She made the comment after research by the organisation revealed that non-food non-store sales in December were up 26.5 per cent from 12 months earlier.

Ms Hardiman said the increase in growth from November revealed that customers are more confidence that they can leave their online Christmas shopping until December.

"For some, severe weather made shopping online more attractive than going out, and starting online clearance sales early, even as the shops shut on Christmas Eve, got a good response from many customers," she added.

Earlier this week, data from Retail Decisions suggested that £132 million was spent online on Christmas Day (December 25th), while Boxing Day (December 26th) saw sales of £281 million.

It was also revealed that 41.3 per cent of people are intending to spend more online over Christmas after enjoying the experience in 2009.

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