The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index has shown trade for online retailers and UK delivery services soared over the festive period as more people bought presents using the internet.

Shoppers spent almost £8 million online in December, amounting to an average of £155 per adult, according to the new research.

Audio equipment, laptops and other electronic items were the most popular things bought over the internet during the festive period.

"Strong online sales over Christmas went some way towards rescuing the performance of the year as a whole," said Capgemini's Chris Webster.

He added that there had been some pressure on sales in 2011 as UK consumers became more savvy and discerning in their engagement with ecommerce and that m-commerce is expected to be a growth market in 2012, as companies redesign their web presence to make it adaptable for smartphones.

A recent study from Foresee placed Apple and Amazon at the top of a consumer satisfaction survey on m-commerce browsing.
 

Author:  Gillian Walters