eMarketer predicts that the rise will be 4% annually, reaching a total of 72% of all internet users by 2014.

So far this year, 26 million people aged 14 plus in the UK, which equates to 67.7% of internet users in that age group, make at least one online purchase per month.

Another recent study by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising revealed that the number of British consumers who use the internet at least once a week has reached 75% of the population.

A senior analyst for eMarketer is reported to have said: “Online sales growth will continue to outpace growth in overall retail sales in 2010 and 2011, as more shoppers use the web to save time, stretch their pennies and buy items not readily available in nearby physical stores.”

If you would like to discuss how an eCommerce website could help your business, contact a member of our team today.

Online sales in the UK rose by a massive 20% last month.

This comes on top of the 22% rise witnessed in May. These figures, released in the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, mean that the last two months has seen the biggest leap in online sales since the summer of 2008.

During the first half of this year alone, the UK has spent a healthy £26.2 billion online, with June experiencing £4.4 billion spent in online sales, a 15% increase compared to the same month last year.

Many believe that the weather and sporting events this summer have been big factors in the jump of online sales. With figures like these, shopping online is fast becoming simple, cheap and an easy way to shop, just like every online retailer hoped it would.

Currently, online sales account for just over 8% of UK retail sales. According to Chris Webster, Vice President, Head of Retail Consulting and Technology at Capgemini, consumers are the ones that are catching up. He said: “Consumers are more savvy than ever and continue to look towards online shopping to find the best deals that the high street and the Internet can offer.”

Leading retail researchers Verdict, who performed the study for eBay, forecast that British online retail spending would more than triple to 67 billion pounds in 2020 from the 21 billion spent in 2009.

It also predicted that over the same time period, spending outside the internet would fall to 247 billion pounds from 265 billion.

Verdict analyst Neil Saunders said: “Traditional bricks and mortar shops simply cannot afford to ignore the potential growth opportunities available online.”

Verdict also predicted that online sales of clothing and footwear, and health and beauty products would all more than quadruple over the period.

The demise of major brands such as Zavvi, and houshold names such as Woolworths is quickly leaving the once bustling high street, a place now bereft of life and fresh ideas.  In a detrimental downward spiral, the losses of attractive high street names, now allow less choice for shoppers and less reasons to brave the brisk British Winter weather.

The businesses  who have moved quickly to establish themselves online are, however, now reaping the benefits; recognising that their audience has moved to a place where choice is abundant and where you can browse a multitude of shops through a series of clicks.

At Visualsoft, we have noticed vastly improved online sales year on year, with clients choosing our eCommerce platform enjoying increases in sales of up to an astounding 600%.  When the audience embraces new shopping methods, so too must the retailer; if you have not established yourself online as yet, now clearly is the time.

At Visualsoft we have a wealth of checkout integration experience with all of the major payment providers. When working with your clients we analyse the current and predicted level of online sales and recommend a preferred option.

The setup and running costs differ from provider to provider and careful consideration needs to be given to the chosen provider for checkout integration – which is why our experience is vital. Get in touch with us today to find out more about Checkout integration  and the different options available to you.