Online Christmas spending rises 23pc

Consumers have markedly increased their online spending compared to last year as they attempt to spread the cost of Christmas, analysts said yesterday.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Nov 2010, 08:29 BST

Updated 19th Nov 2010, 08:29 BST

Shoppers spent a total of 5.2bn online during October, up 23 per cent on the same time last year, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.

The figures show online sales have grown by 17 per cent so far this year compared to the same period in 2009, with shoppers spending 46 billion since January.

Yesterday, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales volumes picked up in October amid signs that shoppers brought forward purchases ahead of January's rise in VAT to 20 per cent.

Yesterday's figures show a 33 per cent year-on-year increase for the clothing sector, while the gift sector was up 76 per cent compared to September.

Bruce Fair, managing director of comparison website Kelkoo, said: "Despite challenging economic times, consumers are showing little signs of cutting back with Christmas sales expected to reach 68.7bn this year."

VAT