Online Shopping ‘Growing at a Rapid Pace’

by Mike Essex on 8th December 2010

A growing number of businesses and consumers are heading on to the internet as online shopping becomes more popular.

According to Richard Dodd, head of media and campaigns at the British Retail Consortium, e-retail is having an influential effect on the habits of British customers.

"Online is growing rapidly and it is having an effect in some particular spheres of retailing, things like books and DVDs for example," he stated.

But the expert said the growth of internet shopping is not to blame for the economic difficulties facing many high street stores at the moment.

Mr Dodd instead blamed a lack of effective planning, higher costs facing physical stores and the overall state of the British economy for the troubles facing some physical shops.

However, according to research carried out by price comparison site Kelkoo, the recent cold snap affecting the country has benefited internet retailers at the expense of high street stores.

A 19 per cent increase in earnings was recorded by online businesses as consumers stayed at home to do their shopping rather than braving the wintry weather.