Millions of people in the UK will be logging onto the internet to hunt for bargains on Christmas Day, according to the Daily Mail.

Major high street stores will start their sales, offering huge discounts of up to 70 per cent via the internet in the early hours of December 25th.

The newspaper reported that, last year, Christmas Day was the third biggest online shopping event of the year, with more than £100 million being spent.

A spokesperson from the Interactive Media in Retail Group said that the idea of shopping on Christmas Day is fast becoming as much a part of the festivities as turkey and the trimmings.

"The only way we Brits can enjoy the nation’s favourite leisure activity – shopping – on Christmas Day, our biggest holiday of the year, is online. So it is hardly surprising that millions of us now do a spot of Yuletide bargain hunting," it added.

Products such as Apple’s iPod Touch and the new Nintendo Wii are expected to be those most in demand by online bargain hunters.

Millions of people in the UK will be logging onto the internet to hunt for bargains on Christmas Day, according to the Daily Mail.

Major high street stores will start their sales, offering huge discounts of up to 70 per cent via the internet in the early hours of December 25th.

The newspaper reported that, last year, Christmas Day was the third biggest online shopping event of the year, with more than £100 million being spent.

A spokesperson from the Interactive Media in Retail Group said that the idea of shopping on Christmas Day is fast becoming as much a part of the festivities as turkey and the trimmings.

"The only way we Brits can enjoy the nation’s favourite leisure activity – shopping – on Christmas Day, our biggest holiday of the year, is online. So it is hardly surprising that millions of us now do a spot of Yuletide bargain hunting," it added.

Products such as Apple’s iPod Touch and the new Nintendo Wii are expected to be those most in demand by online bargain hunters.

Christmas 2009 is set to be a good year for online retailers, according to an industry expert.

Richard Perks, director of retail research at global consumer intelligence supplier Mintel, said that in the main people are actually better off at the moment than they were this time last year because of the lower rates of interest.

He added that, even allowing for the large number of people that are unemployed at the moment, the benefit to the others from the low interest rates is so big that it has outweighed that.

"On the whole, people are a lot more relaxed about their finances than they were at the beginning of the year and I think they are prepared to go out and spend," he said.

Earlier this month, Chris Russell, director of eDigitalResearch, said that changes were occurring in the world of online shopping, with smart devices such as iPhones playing a larger role.

Christmas 2009 is set to be a good year for online retailers, according to an industry expert.

Richard Perks, director of retail research at global consumer intelligence supplier Mintel, said that in the main people are actually better off at the moment than they were this time last year because of the lower rates of interest.

He added that, even allowing for the large number of people that are unemployed at the moment, the benefit to the others from the low interest rates is so big that it has outweighed that.

"On the whole, people are a lot more relaxed about their finances than they were at the beginning of the year and I think they are prepared to go out and spend," he said.

Earlier this month, Chris Russell, director of eDigitalResearch, said that changes were occurring in the world of online shopping, with smart devices such as iPhones playing a larger role.

Two thirds of online shoppers want retailers whose pages load quickly, which could affect their choice of auction websites.

Research by networking firm Brocade has found that slow speeds are many people’s pet digital peeve.

One in four say they would shop elsewhere if they are left waiting for ten seconds or more, while half would leave if it took 20 seconds for the page to load.

Paul Phillips, regional director for UK and Ireland at the company, claims that many people choose to shop online and at auction websites due to their convenience.

He calls for the government to take actions to make things easier for computer users.

Mr Phillips says: "The UK’s current network infrastructure is struggling to cope with its appetite for online shopping and if the government and retailers don’t act fast they could well be on Santa’s naughty list next year."

Earlier this month, eDigitalResearch’s director Chris Russell claimed that the online shopping world is changing due to the growing popularity of devices such as the iPhone.

Two thirds of online shoppers want retailers whose pages load quickly, which could affect their choice of auction websites.

Research by networking firm Brocade has found that slow speeds are many people’s pet digital peeve.

One in four say they would shop elsewhere if they are left waiting for ten seconds or more, while half would leave if it took 20 seconds for the page to load.

Paul Phillips, regional director for UK and Ireland at the company, claims that many people choose to shop online and at auction websites due to their convenience.

He calls for the government to take actions to make things easier for computer users.

Mr Phillips says: "The UK’s current network infrastructure is struggling to cope with its appetite for online shopping and if the government and retailers don’t act fast they could well be on Santa’s naughty list next year."

Earlier this month, eDigitalResearch’s director Chris Russell claimed that the online shopping world is changing due to the growing popularity of devices such as the iPhone.

Lots of changes seem to be occurring in the world of online shopping, according to an industry commentator.

Chris Russell, director of digital market firm eDigitalResearch, said that this is the first year that smart devices, including the iPhone, have worked sufficiently well and be in enough hands to perhaps provide a shift in consumer behaviour.

"There is a real awareness this year of the ability for delivery companies to make sure all orders are successfully delivered. The revision of some contracts following industrial action by the postal workers has brought more realism this year to available capacity," he added.

Mr Russell also commented that something as simple as the recent spell of wet weather can give online sales a huge boost.

Earlier this week, the Interactive in Retail Group predicted that December 7th would be the busiest online shopping day of the year, suggesting that £350 million would be spent over the internet.

It also predicted that online sales could reach £5 billion for December, a 14 per cent increase year-on-year.

Two Canon cameras have been named in one website’s list of must-have items for Christmas.

PCAdvisor.co.uk said that the Canon EOS 7D has "sheer aspiration value" and has a good set-up making it well worth the price.

In the list of top assets of the camera, the website includes its 0.2 second start-up time, the ability to shoot full-HD video at 1920×1080 resolution and the three-inch viewfinder which tilts to 160 degrees.

The website also included the Canon Ixus 200 in its compact camera must-haves, saying it is an "excellent choice". The usability of the device is commended, with it having a touchscreen and tilt functions.

"The camera is slim enough to slip into a pocket or handbag and comes in a choice of four colours," it added.

James Ellis, writing for the Sun, recently said that the Canon Ixus camera is ideal for travelling as it is small and lightweight while also taking good quality pictures.

Monday December 7th is when online retailers will receive the most orders and enquiries, according to new research.

Data from the industry body for global e-retailing IMRG said that over £350 million is expected to be spent on Christmas presents this coming Monday.

David Smith, director of operations at the company, added that for December as a whole the group expects sales to reach £5 billion which will be an increase of 14 per cent year on year.

"Online retail has consistently delivered double digit growth throughout 2009 as consumers switch to the convenience and price savings available on the internet," he added.

According to IMRG member Google, online Christmas shopping started much earlier this year, with consumers more focused than ever on researching and finding inspiration for their festive gifts.

Last week auction site eBay predicted that this Christmas will be a bumper one for online retailers as more people are now trusting them to deliver customer service which is as good or better than on the high street.

Monday December 7th is when online retailers will receive the most orders and enquiries, according to new research.

Data from the industry body for global e-retailing IMRG said that over £350 million is expected to be spent on Christmas presents this coming Monday.

David Smith, director of operations at the company, added that for December as a whole the group expects sales to reach £5 billion which will be an increase of 14 per cent year on year.

"Online retail has consistently delivered double digit growth throughout 2009 as consumers switch to the convenience and price savings available on the internet," he added.

According to IMRG member Google, online Christmas shopping started much earlier this year, with consumers more focused than ever on researching and finding inspiration for their festive gifts.

Last week auction site eBay predicted that this Christmas will be a bumper one for online retailers as more people are now trusting them to deliver customer service which is as good or better than on the high street.