Online boom boosts festive shopping

12 November 2007

Increase in high speed broadband services fuels online spending sprees

An increase in high speed broadband services has fuelled a consumer boom in online spending in the run-up to Christmas, a report claims.

More than double the amount of shoppers who used the internet last year plan to do the same again this festive season, according to Deloitte.

It estimates 14% of shoppers will buy the majority of their Christmas shopping online in 2007, with each spending an average of more than £700 in total.

The group added that nearly three quarters of those surveyed in the poll will buy at least one item of Christmas shopping through the internet in a bid to avoid the Christmas crowds.

Deloitte also claimed the trend is sparking a revolution on the high street, with many retailers questioning how they can provide online shopping sites for their customers.

Deloitte head of retail Tarlok Teji said: "More people will shop online this year than ever before as the appeal of cyberspace to avoid the Christmas crush takes hold."