Daily Mail, Saturday, November 5, 2005 (bottom page 7)
We're sold on the Internet by Julie Wheldon

"BRITONS are turning to the Internet to do their shopping in increasing numbers, official figures show. Online sales rose by 68 per cent last year, in stark contrast to the gloom on the High Street, where business has slowed dramatically over the last year. Experts say the trend will continue as more choose the convenience of purchasing online over battling with crowds of shoppers.

The Office for National Statistics found online sales to households rose to £18.1 billion last year from £10.8 billion in 2003. In contrast, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry last week found that High Street sales had fallen for five months in a row. Total Internet sales, including business-to-business trade rose even more sharply, by 81 per cent from £39.3 billion to £71.1 billion. At present, 6 per cent of all retail sales are made online. But the proportion is expected to double to 12 per cent by 2009. Hellen Omwando, of Forrestors Research, which analyses trends in technology, said shops selling electrical equipment and books had been the most affected by Internet sales. But with more women embracing ecommerce, she said other areas such as clothing would soon feel the impact. She said the High Street would remain the most popular destination for shoppers, but said stores would increasingly use websites to both sell products directly and to lure customers in. 'Consumer confidence is growing and the demand is there so retailers want to capture it', she added. 'You are now seeing a shift in people's acceptance of the Internet as a legitimate sales channel.'