VARs that fail to embrace the internet will start to suffer as the boom in online shopping continues.

Figures released by the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) last week revealed that internet shopping accounts for 10 per cent of all retail sales, with online purchasing set to total £30bn in 2006. This is a 56 per cent increase on last year.

Andrew McCelland, director of projects and marketing at IMRG, said: “This growth is driven by the fact that online shopping provides consumers with the choice they want. A lot of high-street brands have also invested in their online presence.”

He added that resellers that do not have an online presence will lose out, because customers will go elsewhere.

Nick Sharp, general manager at web analytics firm, WebTrends, said: “We can help online retailers target their existing customers tightly, and also attract new customers.”

laura_hailstone@vnu.co.uk