Sales online made up 9.9% of all UK retail sales in June, up from 6.8% a year earlier, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The agency estimated e-commerce sales at £376.3m in June 2010. One year later, web sales had increased significantly – by 49% to £560.5m. In the same period, all retail sales in June recovered from May’s slump: volumes rose 0.7% last month, which surpassed market expectations but only recovered half the previous month’s 1.3% drop.
27/07/2011
When explaining the slight increase, the ONS said there was “anecdotal evidence” of summer sales starting earlier this year.
Several retailers have recently reported online sales growth well above their high street business, including Domino’s Pizza, Blacks, and Halfords.