John Lewis and Amazon boast bumper online Christmas sales

The growth of online shopping gained further momentum during the 2012 Christmas period, with strong sales figures reported from a number of internet retailers.

Meanwhile high-street stores continue to close and the Christmas period saw a two percent drop in shopper numbers since 2011, according to research firm Springboard.

According to figures released by John Lewis, online sales for the five weeks to 29 December 2012 were up 44 percent on last year and Johnlewis.com now accounts for a quarter of all the firm's business.

"The success of our online operation and our pre-eminence as an omni-channel retailer cannot be underestimated," said Andy Street, John Lewis managing director.

"Sales at Johnlewis.com broke through the £800m milestone during December supported by an excellent performance from our Click and Collect facility which allows customers the flexibility to buy online and collect from John Lewis and Waitrose outlets."

Meanwhile Amazon has seen purchases on Christmas Day increase by 263 percent over the past five years, and expects that Christmas Day 2012 was its busiest to date, although it is yet to release exact spending figures.

Amazon did report, though, that 26.5 million items were ordered worldwide on the peak day of the Christmas period - 26 November - and that the 2012 holiday season was the firm's biggest ever.

Furthermore, technology giant IBM estimated that internet spending was up 44 percent on Boxing Day compared to the same period in 2011.

Meanwhile e-retail organisation IMRG estimated UK online shoppers spent £225m on Christmas Eve and £307m on Christmas Day, and a total of 375 million hours shopping online in December 2012.

IMRG will announce its official sales index for the period on the 17 January.