WILLIAM TINNING william.tinning@theherald.co.uk ONLINE sales are up 16% on last year as consumers avoid the high street in favour of bargains on the internet, figures published today show.
WILLIAM TINNING william.tinning@theherald.co.uk ONLINE sales are up 16% on last year as consumers avoid the high street in favour of bargains on the internet, figures published today show.
Research carried out by Capgemini and Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) - the industry body for e-retailers - shows that sales of shoes and accessories grew by 32% and 108% respectively from October.
However, according to the e-retail sales index - which tracks online transactions based on data from around 60 retailers who sell online, and includes internet-only retailers and High Street chains with online stores - sales of clothes were up by just 18%.
It suggests customers were settling for updating their wardrobes, rather than splashing out on new outfits ahead of the festive party season. Online shoppers also turned to the internet for alcohol purchases, with spending up 53% in November compared with October.
Among the e-retailers to benefit are online fashion retailer Asos, which recently unveiled a 107% increase in year-on-year sales. It said sales of high-shine leggings and the impact of the "young pound" may be the key to beating the recession.
Four out of five people have said they will avoid the High Street at some point and shop online as belts tighten and bargain hunting begins before Christmas.
Mike Petevinos, head of retail consulting at Capgemini UK, said of the latest figures: "The Christmas spirit is with us, but it seems clear that shoppers are being more considered than ever in making their generosity fit their budgets.
"The current climate is causing consumers to turn to the internet to help them make more informed value decisions and purchases."
IMRG chief executive James Roper added: "While we would naturally expect to see a monthly increase in online sales during this time of the year, it is perhaps surprising that we are continuing to see yearly growth during these otherwise difficult times for retailers.
"This is a sure sign that high street retailers should look to diversify their activities by fully embracing the online space, as their customers have."
Mr Roper added that he expected the online sales figure to be even higher next month, reflecting last-minute Christmas shopping.
Meanwhile, separate research, also published today, shows that parents are refusing to let the economic downturn spoil their children's Christmas, with more than three-quarters of people saying they will not cut back on presents for their offspring, About 76% of people said they would not reduce the amount they spent on presents for their children this Christmas while 72% said they would spend at least the same or more on food.
However, 64% of people questioned admitted they would monitor their festive spending more closely, according to the study by credit giant Mastercard.
The research showed that just over half of people will spend less on Christmas decorations, 48% will cut down on nights out, and 47% will spend less on a Christmas tree.
Four out of 10 will spend less on presents for friends, while a third will buy less alcohol and the same proportion will spend less on gifts for their immediate family.
Just under half of people said they would use the internet to shop around for the best deals. Women are more budget-conscious than men, with 70% saying they would be monitoring their spending more closely this year, compared with 58% of men.
Universal McCann questioned 2511 people in October for Mastercard's research.
