Royal Mail said it expects to deliver a record breaking 70 million items ordered online thisChristmas – 15 million more than the same period last year. British research group IMRG has
predicted that £5 billion will be spent online in the run up to Christmas during November andDecember.Richard Roche, Head of Multi-channel Retail at Royal Mail, said: “Online retail continues togrow at a phenomenal rate and the predicted £5 billion spend represents a 40 per cent increase onthe £3.5 billion spent online in the same period in 2004.” Not only are more people shopping onlinein 2005 but the average online spend is also increasing – £1,025 a year per person compared to £936in 2004.
“We predict we will deliver 70 million packages ordered online in the run up to Christmas,”Milne said. “We have been working with retailers for many months to ensure we provide a high levelof service to their customers this Christmas and that they have an enjoyable online shoppingexperience.”
CDs, videos, DVDs, records, books, holiday/travel and clothing remain the most popular itemspurchased online. Amazon.co.uk is the biggest selling website followed by Argos.co.uk in theUK.
