Firms predict biggest Christmas online shopping spree

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Firms predict biggest Christmas online shopping spree

Industry experts are predicting record numbers of shoppers will avoid the crowds this Christmas and buy their presents online.

More than £4 billion of goods and services will be bought over the internet in November and December - double last year's figure - according to e-retail body IMRG.

Royal Mail and Parcelforce, which deliver 60% of all goods ordered online, are expecting to handle 40 million packages bought this way in the run up to Christmas.

James Roper, chief executive of IMRG, said: "The key to internet shopping is convenience, convenience, convenience. Are you going to spend half the day battling round the shops or half an hour browsing the internet from the comfort of your home?"

The organisation is due to launch a website at the end of the month which includes information designed to allay concerns about shopping online. It will also include a list of e-retailers.

There are thought to be around 14 million regular internet shoppers in the UK who will spend a predicted £15.7 billion this year, according to the IMRG.

The most popular products ordered over the net are books and CDs, followed by electrical equipment, and clothing.

Amazon.co.uk sold more than 6.2 million items between November 1 and Christmas, with the busiest day being December 17 when it shipped over 200,000 items.

The Royal Mail is launching a guide for retailers to help them prepare for customers using the internet to place orders in the run-up to Christmas.


Story filed: 09:27 Sunday 12th October 2003

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_828093.html?menu=

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Amazon.co.uk sold more than 6.2 million items between November 1 and Christmas, with the busiest day being December 17 when it shipped over 200,000 items.

Oh I would love 5% of that (or 6.5 on the tired structure, knowing my luck if i did sell that many I would only sell 3 non media items!)

I wonder how much of that is affiliate generated trade?