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.

Internet retailers are ready for the Christmas rush having survived the economic downturn and the recent postal strikes, according to an expert.

David Smith, director of operations at e-retail membership body Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), said that online shopping is proving remarkably resilient during the recession.

He added that online traders are now ready for Christmas, even if more postal strikes were to happen, as many have switched to alternative carriers during the last bout of industrial action and not gone back to Royal Mail.

“Recent consumer research undertaken by e-Digital Research on behalf of IMRG concluded that 93 per cent of consumers plan to shop online for Christmas. Three-quarters of them will do half or more online,” he added.

The survey also showed that price will continue to be the main factor in Christmas shopping, with more people prepared to shop around to get the best possible bargains.

Internet retailers are ready for the Christmas rush having survived the economic downturn and the recent postal strikes, according to an expert.

David Smith, director of operations at e-retail membership body Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), said that online shopping is proving remarkably resilient during the recession.

He added that online traders are now ready for Christmas, even if more postal strikes were to happen, as many have switched to alternative carriers during the last bout of industrial action and not gone back to Royal Mail.

“Recent consumer research undertaken by e-Digital Research on behalf of IMRG concluded that 93 per cent of consumers plan to shop online for Christmas. Three-quarters of them will do half or more online,” he added.

The survey also showed that price will continue to be the main factor in Christmas shopping, with more people prepared to shop around to get the best possible bargains.

Harry Potter actress Katie Leung has lauded the hobby of photography as she prepares for an exhibition that opens in London next month.

The star, who plays Cho Chang in the films, said told AmateurPhotography.co.uk that snapping pictures allows her to communicate in a certain way which words and other forms of art cannot.

“It has ultimately changed the way in which I see the world,” she added.

An image following the theme of ‘body language’ will go on show alongside pictures captured by the winners of a national student competition organised by the charity Sightsavers International.

“Through my passion for this powerful medium I am deeply grateful to be blessed with the wonderful gift of sight,” she commented.

The exhibition called ‘i-click – when actions speak louder than words’ opens on December 10th at the gallery@oxo and will run until January 10th.

Recently, travel website JourneyETC.com said that holiday-makers can make sure that they record all their memories by taking photographs of places they visit, providing they make sure they select the right light setting for each environment.

Online retailers in the UK are expecting this Christmas to be a very productive one for them, according to an industry expert.

A spokesperson for the online auction giant eBay said that more and more people are now doing their shopping online.

She added that online sales are expected to increase over the festive season this year because e-retailers are often able to provide a wider selection and better value than high street businesses.

“[People] shop online because they trust online retailers to deliver customer service that’s as good or better than on the high street,” she commented.

The auction website’s third Online Business Index, published earlier this month, showed that more than half of the e-businesses surveyed are ordering more stock for Christmas 2009 than ever before as they expect it to be a strong year.

It also found that Christmas accounted for an average of 19 per cent of annual turnover for online businesses.