Menu
20/01/2006
Christmas boost for online shopping
Internet shopping among UK consumers increased by almost 50% in the ten weeks before Christmas, a report has revealed.
The IMRG report found that shoppers spent £4.98 billion online, compared with £3.33 billion during the same period in 2004.
Sales peaked during the week beginning December 5, when £653 million was spent online, while transactions worth £584 million were recorded for both the previous week and the following week.
Jo Tucker, IMRG's MD and director of the IMRG Index programme, commented: "A step change happened in retailing at Christmas. Consumers have spoken. They want the convenience and choice that online shopping provides. Many just don't have time to trudge the streets hoping goods are in stock. There can no longer be any doubt that the Internet is a major part of the retail landscape and that it will dominate the retail agenda for the next several years."
2005 was a year of "remarkable dynamic growth" for UK online shopping, with UK consumers spending £19.2 billion on goods and services - nearly a third more than in 2004.
Twenty-four million British consumers shopped online in 2005, spending on average, £816 each during the year and £208 in the run-up to Christmas.
IMRG predicted that UK e-retail would increase by 36% in 2006, with shoppers spending, on average, more than £1,000 for the first time.
IMRG's CEO James Roper said: "A surprising number of goods are still either hard to find or unavailable online. Large gaps exist in the supply market, such as high-end fashion and real estate. Even leading retailers often only make a small proportion of their total inventory available online and many don't bother with spares at all. So, huge growth potential remains for the merchants who plug these holes."
(KMcA/CL)
The IMRG report found that shoppers spent £4.98 billion online, compared with £3.33 billion during the same period in 2004.
Sales peaked during the week beginning December 5, when £653 million was spent online, while transactions worth £584 million were recorded for both the previous week and the following week.
Jo Tucker, IMRG's MD and director of the IMRG Index programme, commented: "A step change happened in retailing at Christmas. Consumers have spoken. They want the convenience and choice that online shopping provides. Many just don't have time to trudge the streets hoping goods are in stock. There can no longer be any doubt that the Internet is a major part of the retail landscape and that it will dominate the retail agenda for the next several years."
2005 was a year of "remarkable dynamic growth" for UK online shopping, with UK consumers spending £19.2 billion on goods and services - nearly a third more than in 2004.
Twenty-four million British consumers shopped online in 2005, spending on average, £816 each during the year and £208 in the run-up to Christmas.
IMRG predicted that UK e-retail would increase by 36% in 2006, with shoppers spending, on average, more than £1,000 for the first time.
IMRG's CEO James Roper said: "A surprising number of goods are still either hard to find or unavailable online. Large gaps exist in the supply market, such as high-end fashion and real estate. Even leading retailers often only make a small proportion of their total inventory available online and many don't bother with spares at all. So, huge growth potential remains for the merchants who plug these holes."
(KMcA/CL)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 June 2013
ExamTime NI Develops New Online Resource
A new online resource to help students study and prepare for exams has been developed by ExamTime NI Ltd as part of a £500,000 investment with support from Invest Northern Ireland. The ExamTime.com website, which has been launched in beta version, allows students and teachers to build personalised learning environments.
ExamTime NI Develops New Online Resource
A new online resource to help students study and prepare for exams has been developed by ExamTime NI Ltd as part of a £500,000 investment with support from Invest Northern Ireland. The ExamTime.com website, which has been launched in beta version, allows students and teachers to build personalised learning environments.
31 May 2012
Minister Meets First Local Business To Benefit From New ERP
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has congratulated a local woman from Londonderry who is the first person to benefit from the recently introduced discount for empty retail premises.
Minister Meets First Local Business To Benefit From New ERP
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has congratulated a local woman from Londonderry who is the first person to benefit from the recently introduced discount for empty retail premises.
20 April 2011
Northcott Demolition Begins At Weekend
A supermarket project in Co Antrim will secure construction jobs for around 250 people at a time when the industry is struggling. As revealed exclusively on Tesco's Sandyknowes Centre Underway work started on the brand-new Tesco Extra and petrol filling station earlier this month.
Northcott Demolition Begins At Weekend
A supermarket project in Co Antrim will secure construction jobs for around 250 people at a time when the industry is struggling. As revealed exclusively on Tesco's Sandyknowes Centre Underway work started on the brand-new Tesco Extra and petrol filling station earlier this month.
14 April 2011
Dublin Cinema Extension 'In The Balance'
A major shopping centre extension to include a restaurant and cinema that is planned in Dublin has yet to be given the green light, following fresh objections.
Dublin Cinema Extension 'In The Balance'
A major shopping centre extension to include a restaurant and cinema that is planned in Dublin has yet to be given the green light, following fresh objections.
09 December 2010
Builders Complete Newry's Buttercrane Boost
A £6m Primark investment has given a border city a pre-festive jobs boost as Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry welcomed a state-of-the-art, 50,000sqft store extension providing 100 full and part time jobs.
Builders Complete Newry's Buttercrane Boost
A £6m Primark investment has given a border city a pre-festive jobs boost as Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry welcomed a state-of-the-art, 50,000sqft store extension providing 100 full and part time jobs.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
