E-retail sales up 15%, boosted by good weather
Latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index show that online retailers are continuing to draw in consumers, with 15% more spent in March compared to last year.
An estimated £4.5 billion was spent online in the month, compared to £3.9 billion in 2009.
As winter relinquished its grip and in preparation for an early Easter, shoppers started to spruce up their homes and gardens in time for spring, with 42% more spent online in this sector in March. Brighter skies also encouraged consumers to invest in summer wardrobes, with sales of clothing growing by 27% compared to February this year.
Tina Spooner, Director of Information at IMRG added: “The 15% yearly growth in online sales is very positive and is evidence that e-retail continues to outperform the high street. The strength of the multichannel approach within e-retail is also reflected in the March Index results. There is a strong trend emerging showing that high street retailers with an online presence are playing an increasingly significant role in the e-retail sector. Retailers with a diverse multichannel offering will no doubt continue to reap the rewards of their investment in the online space.”
Chris Webster, Vice President, Retail Consulting and Technology, Capgemini, said: “These are solid figures, and prove the continued resilience of online retail. The retailers themselves, particularly those with both an online and a store presence, have fought hard to attract and retain customers, even in a period of political uncertainty. As the weather starts to improve, this is having an impact on sales of garden furniture as people plan for summer barbeques.”
