Online retail spending rises 11.3 per cent in July

20/08/2008

Retailers may want to review their e-commerce web design in the light of new figures showing that online spending rose by 11.3 per cent to reach £4.8 billion in July.

According to the latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, the figures are in contrast with recent statistics suggesting that July high street sales fell 0.9 per cent compared with the previous month.

The categories that saw the fastest growth in online spending last month included clothing, footwear and accessories and electrical goods, with the latter likely to have experienced such a rise thanks to the launch of the iPhone 3G, IMRG and Capgemini said.

"Online retailers are taking full advantage of the present situation by making exceptional offers on their websites, with online sales now in full swing and UK shoppers using the web to search out those bargains, compare prices and ensure they get the best deals," commented Jo Evans, managing director of IMRG.

According to recent uSwitch.com figures, online shopping will account for over half of all retail sales by 2026.