Online resellers looking for a bumper Christmas

Cause for early festive cheer among online resellers, as IMRG predicts £7bn internet sales

Online resellers look set for a strong Q4 as UK internet sales are expected to total £7bn in the 10-week run up to Christmas, according to the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), the industry body for e-tailers.

IMRG has predicted that UK shoppers will spend online an average of £4m every hour, day and night during the 10-week run-up to Christmas 2006, which equates to £7bn in total. This is 40 per cent up on the £5bn spent online during the same period in 2005, and more than double the £3.3bn recorded in 2004.

"For many, internet shopping has now become a Christmas tradition, said an IMRG representative. "Attracted by the choice, convenience and great value that online shopping offers, the internet will be the primary purchasing channel for millions of people this Christmas. No other channel comes even close to providing the range and depth of goods that the internet offers."

Dixons Stores Group (DSG) said it had dramatically increased its online offering in the past 12 months. Hamish Thompson, DSG representative, told CRN: "Dixons has moved online and is welcoming millions of visitors to the site. The addition of PIXmania to our group is providing market-leading expertise and the addition of new services such as collect@store at PC World and Reserve and Collect at Currys, position us perfectly for Christmas."

"We're anticipating a storming Christmas online this year with a strong pipeline of exciting technology," he added.

Tracy Lamb, director of business development at Misco, said: "We have seen a 20 per cent increase year-on-year in our online business for the past three weeks and expect this trend to continue. In preparation, our call center, customer service and tech support teams are available until 8pm Monday-Friday and on weekends. We are also offering a reduced shipping rate for 23 December.”