E-commerce sales up 13% on 2009

12:08 24th May 2010

North West e-commerce companies should have seen an increase in sales as new data has shown that in April, consumers spent 13 per cent more in online shopping than a year ago.

The figures, from the latest e-Retail Sales Index from the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) and Capgemini, reveal that the UK e-commerce market shows no signs of slowing down.

Last month, online spending reached £4.4 billion in the country, the data showed.

There was a three per cent drop in sales, which was expected after a surge in sales that usually occurs in March due to Mother's Day.

However, those in travel e-commerce will have seen a nine per cent decrease in sales as fewer customers booked flights during April because of the volcanic ash cloud, which grounded flights across Europe, said IMRG.

The highest spike in e-commerce was in clothing sales, which saw a 21 per cent year-on-year rise.

Online e-commerce is seeing continued "high growth levels" due to more retailers "using an online channel to attract a new market and retain existing customers", said Chris Webster, vice president of retail consulting and technology at Capgemini, which is a global leader in consulting, technology, outsourcing and local professional services.

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