25 February 2008
British shoppers spent more online last month than during any previous January, according to figures from the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG).
A total of £4.5 billion was spent on internet shopping last month, the group said, which reflects a 75% increase from January 2006.
However, the total amount was a decrease from the record levels of online spending that took place in December 2007, in the run-up to Christmas.
Electronic goods and clothing were the top purchases on the web, with each category rising by about a third year-on-year.
Anthoula Madden, head of Capgemini's UK consumer products and retail team, said that while high street sales are heading downwards, online purchases continue to soar.
"The results show the maturity of the online market, with consumers being more confident about buying goods online," she remarked.
Total retail sales in the UK fell 0.4% in December compared with November, according to the Office for National Statistics.