9 December 2005
Broadband will play a focal role in our Christmas shopping habits this month, according to new figures.
Analyst firm Mintel has suggested that 38 per cent of British adults will shop online for gifts as the festive period kicks in - a 16 per cent increase on the figure of four years ago.
Furthermore, the number of people who positively prefer to shop online for presents ahead of all other methods has increased to 15 per cent, from ten per cent, in the past twelve months alone.
Richard Perks, Mintel's director of retail research, said: "There has been an impressive increase in the number of households with broadband, which has made shopping online a lot easier and so for many a much more appealing way to buy Christmas gifts than heading to the high street.
"These broadband users also tend to be younger and more affluent and as such are likely to really push the boat out, giving online retailers even more to shout about this Christmas."
The survey said that the average British consumer will spend £366 on Christmas presents this year - with one in five splashing out £500 or more.
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