Bumper Christmas for e-commmerce

Multichannel stores performed better than their pure-play rivals in December

Online retailers ended 2009 on a big high, after UK shoppers spent over £5.4bn in December, according to the latest figures from industry body the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG).

The latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index found that UK shoppers spent £5.46bn online in December, up 17 per cent from the previous year and a 3.8 per cent increase from November.

Interestingly, multichannel stores appear to have performed better over the festive period than their pure-play rivals. The index for multichannel retailers rose by 13 per cent month on month, while online-only retailers registered a 7.6 per cent decline.

"The latest index figures prove yet again that online shopping thrives on adversity. The sector managed to deliver strong double-digit growth in 2009, despite the economy being in recession, aggressive high street competition, extreme weather and even postal strikes in the run-up to Christmas," said IMRG chief executive James Roper.

"2010 looks set to produce another year of strong results for e-retail, with demand expected to remain high as consumers habitually look online for best buys, and a pipeline of significant improvements emerge, including wider product range availability, even better web sites and a greater choice of convenient and more reliable delivery options."