Online buying doubled

Dec 4 2007 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

SANTA surfers will be clicking on to internet buys at nearly double the rate they were last year - and two-fifths of North-east shoppers will be picking up presents online.

UK consumers will spend £200m a day in online shopping as festive season sales rack up.

And this year’s online Christmas booty is set to top £13.8bn.

Paul Feechan, lead partner for Deloitte Newcastle, said: “We expect 2008 to deliver double-digit growth in terms of internet retailing.  The number of people shopping online and the number of retailers with online stores are increasing quickly. The strongest sectors will be grocery and clothing.”

Researchers predict a staggering three-quarters of all shoppers will use online or mail order services. The virtual tide in e-sales won’t keep shoppers away from the high street, though, according to David McNee, general manager of The Mall in Middlesbrough.

“I am confident that retailers are going to have a good trading period. We are in a unique position in that we have undergone a lot of development and a lot of work since last year and we are well placed to take advantage of trade this year.”

And traditional retailers can even turn the growing tide in internet shopping to their advantage, he said.

“Some stores, for example, have online reservation systems which means shoppers can confirm their goods, but then pick up in person, which means they are still travelling in to shopping centres.

“One thing the internet will never be able to replace is the instant feel of buying something. Shopping is a pleasurable experience.”

Experts nicknamed yesterday Mega Monday as millions of shopppers rushcd to place their internet orders.