Online retail registers 5,000% growth in nine years

Friday, 12 June 2009 11:21

The ONS Retail Sales Index, which tracks UK high street sales, has recorded a growth of just 21% - illustrating the substantial take-up of buying online.

Tina Spooner, Director of Information at IMRG said: “When we entered the 21st Century internet shopping was in its infancy. Nine years later e-retail has not only become a channel of retail choice for consumers, but a way of life for many…Internet shopping is clearly the bright spot in the UK retail sector but this industry is still young and has great potential for further growth.”

The clothing sector has outperformed all other sectors, showing an increase by 1990% since February 2001. It outperformed the total e-retail market and all other online sectors in terms of Index value throughout 2008.

The latest e-Customer Service Index survey by eDigitalResearch and IMRG also confirms a positive outlook for the online fashion industry. Just under half of consumers surveyed said they are currently spending the same or more on fashion despite the recession, with 76% intending to continue spending the same or more online during the coming year.