British Online Spending Tops £100 billion

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Total online spending by British shoppers has hit £100 billion, research shows. This figure dates back to April 1995 when e-retail first launched, according to the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG). Britons spent £3.465 billion online last month - up 55% year-on-year.

This annual increase was the largest recorded since December 2003. IMRG managing director Jo Evans described the £100 billion total online spend as an "astonishing landmark". "It's been obvious for a couple of decades that a secure, networked consumer marketplace would arrive and be popular, but actually witnessing its profound success and meteoric growth still takes my breath away," she said.

John Lewis reported 44.9% growth in online sales for this year so far compared with the same period in 2006. The UK's first secure online shopping transaction was a book bought from WHSmith in April 1995, according to the IMRG. Britain's online spending is monitored by the IMRG - the industry body set up in 1990 to represent e-retailers.

News source: Channel 4

(1 reply) #1 ziadoz on 19 May 2007 - 12:48

We get screwed on high street prices here in the UK, that's a big enough incentive to buy online.

#1.1 shhac on 19 May 2007 - 13:37

We sometimes even get screwed on the internet prices here too.

(1 reply) #2 Daedalus on 19 May 2007 - 13:16

That's just Elton John buying shoes again...

#2.1 Tantawi on 19 May 2007 - 13:47

Nice one

#3 needlegun on 19 May 2007 - 13:35

I'm doing my bit for spending on-line - "eRetail eTherapy" I guess...

(4 replies) #4 plastikaa on 19 May 2007 - 15:24

I presume this is a US Billion (9 zeros) not a UK Billion (12 zeros)

#4.1 deadpencil on 19 May 2007 - 17:22

UK billion = £1,000,000,000 (one thousand million)

I think it's extremely rare to see it as 1,000,000,000,000 these days...isn't it?

#4.2 mikey on 19 May 2007 - 18:58

UK billion is retarded, i can't believe we still have it.

#4.3 plastikaa on 20 May 2007 - 18:49

Its rarely seen as the term Billion is rarely used, and that combined with the complete bastardisation of the English language makes people almost forget what is correct (or bastardiZation if your American [or I suppose also British English and don't know how to spell correctly]). Its still correct to use the billion for 12 zeros in the UK, and to be honest I can't see what its "retarded".

#4.4 shhac on 21 May 2007 - 23:32

i've always considered the 12 zeros for a billion to be more logical. why start using a new name for a number when the old ones will still cover it.?

#5 Twisted Vista on 19 May 2007 - 18:24

I completely agree with the first comment. This are silly prices here.
Many things I buy online, I purchase off American sites, so make a nice saving.

Absoutely no incentive to pay high-street price.

#6 Samboini on 19 May 2007 - 22:59

Wheewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! 50% will be Amazon and 50% will be porn, +/- 50%. Doesn't make sense? You know it doesn't!

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