Online shoppers enjoy spending spree in 2006

Research reveals a 40 per cent increase in online sales in first half of year

British shoppers have spent 40 per cent more during the first half of 2006 than they did during the same period last year.

According to the latest figures from the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), British shoppers spent £13.5bn between January and June this year, with June's growth ten times higher than the 3.7 per cent recorded by National Statistics for total UK retail sales.

IMRG has estimated that £2,255 million worth of shopping was conducted online in June – a 37 per cent year-on-year growth - which brings the average increase for the first half of 2006 to 40 per cent - exactly in line with the annual increase forecast by IMRG for the whole of 2006.

"Internet sales broke through the £2bn-per-month barrier in November 2005 and have exceeded £2bn each month since then. Monthly online
sales are unlikely to ever fall below this £2bn level again, as each
year since records began they have risen from the traditional June dip," said James Roper, chief executive of IMRG.

"The effect of the World Cup Football on shopping appeared to have been less detrimental online than it was on the high street, where many retailers reported empty shops during key matches," he added.