Online retail growth 'driven by several factors'

11:03 3rd February 2010

A number of issues are driving the strong growth in online retail services in the UK, according to an expert.

In comments which may interest companies in Lancashire planning to sell goods online, David Smith, director of operations at IMRG, said the popularity of e-commerce could be linked to consumers having access to credit cards.

He added that the UK benefits in terms of deliveries as distribution is easy, while broadband and the development of dynamic online media has also helped to encourage people to buy online.

"For example, if you are buying clothes or want to spin or zoom in on a product, the use of rich media on broadband is a much better experience, from a usability point of view, than if you were doing it on a dial-up [connection]," he explained.

Mr Smith added that e-commerce could account for 50 per cent of all retail sales by the end of this decade.

According to a recent study published by the Centre for Retail Research, the UK accounted for a third of all online retail sales in Europe during 2009.

Brits spent £38 billion online, which highlights the potential benefits of using e-commerce facilities.

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