UK shoppers set online spending record

Online spending in the UK hit £4.5 billion last month - more than any previous January.

The increase was boosted by bargain-seekers keen to avoid busy high streets, according to the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG).

Spending this year was up 75 per cent on January 2007, but fell short of December's record £5.42 billion.

Consumers spent 38 per cent more on electrical goods over the internet last month compared to January 2007, while clothing figures increased by 32 per cent.

Health and beauty products recorded year-on-year growth sales growth of 18 per cent.

The beers, wines and spirits sector saw lower growth of 9.8 per cent.

A poll released last month found that internet spending soared to a record £46.6 billion in 2007 - a 54 per cent increase on 2006.

The IMRG said 15 per cent of all retail spend was online in 2007.

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