Online shoppers have helped to ensure a successful Christmas period for the nation’s retailers, according to an industry expert.
David Smith, director of operations at IMRG, said that internet activity over the festive period became part of most people’s shopping routines, whether this was emailing friends, social networking or surfing for bargains.
"Online retailers were able to benefit from this changing consumer behaviour by achieving record sales volumes with many sales and offers starting on Christmas Eve," he added.
It was also found that the Royal Mail strike action did not deter people from placing orders in the weeks before Christmas. Furthermore, 41.3 per cent stated that they are planning to spend more online next December after having a positive festive shopping experience last year.
Chris Russell, director at eDigitalResearch, added that retailers offering much later delivery dates for Christmas orders had helped increase revenue for the 2009 festive period.
Earlier this week, House of Fraser stated that it had posted a 91 per cent online sales jump in the run-up to Christmas.
