Online spending set to soar

Retailers are preparing to enjoy increased internet sales over the Christmas period, as new figures have indicated that online expenditure during the period will rise.

Research carried out by the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) revealed that online sales for the fourth quarter of 2007 are likely to reach £15 billion.

That figure for the period would represent a 60 per cent rise on that recorded for the same three months last year - £9.6 billion.

"October´s IMRG Capgemini e-retail sales index shows there is no sign of the online shopping boom petering out, even when other factors impact overall shopping trends," managing director Jo Evans told the Press Association.

A recent study from uSwitch forecast that online sales for this year will reach £40 billion, £14 billion of which will be in the run-up to Christmas.
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