The latest figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index have revealed a solid performance in the online sales market for September. The Index climbing 15 per cent year-on-year, equating to £5.5 billion spent online.

If the travel sector is excluded, the Index grew at 20 per cent year on year. The strength of these results is highlighted even further when compared with the UK High Street, which according to the latest BRC sales monitor, grew just 0.3 per cent on last year in terms of value on a like-for-like basis.

Despite a good performance last month, IMRG and Capgemini have reviewed their original prediction of 18 per cent annual growth for 2011, and downgraded it to 16 per cent.

Chris Webster, head of retail consulting and technology at Capgemini says: “Reviewing the results in September, at the end of the third quarter, provides us with a good opportunity to assess how the economic turbulence is affecting the shopping habits of British consumers in 2011. It appears that rather than cutting back entirely, we have been more conscientious in our purchases – faced with uncertainty, shoppers are prepared to cut back on luxuries, but not from shopping altogether. Smaller items, such as clothing and items for the home, are considered rewards for our belt tightening, or just more sensible purchases.”

David J Smith, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at IMRG, comments: “While consumer confidence in the online market was high in H1 of 2011, with the Index recording growth of 19 per cent on H1 of 2010, there has been a slight dip in terms of the growth levels."

Share Story: