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Royal Mail predicts record breaking online Christmas
Archived article dated Thursday November 24th 2005
Royal Mail expects to deliver a record breaking 70 million items ordered online this Christmas - 15 million more than the same period last year.
The increase in deliveries reflects a buoyant Christmas period for e-retail. IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group) predicts £5 billion will be spent online in the run up to Christmas (November and December). Richard Roche, Head of Multi-channel Retail at Royal Mail, said: “Online retail continues to grow at a phenomenal rate and the predicted £5 billion spend represents a 40 per cent increase on the £3.5 billion spent online in the same period in 2004.” He continued: “We predict we will deliver 70 million packages ordered online in the run up to Christmas. We have been working with retailers in the run up to the festive period to ensure we provide a high level of service to their customers and that they have an enjoyable online shopping experience.”
Not only are more people shopping online in 2005 but the average online spend is also increasing - £1,025 a year per person compared to £936 in 2004. The research also reveals that 59 per cent of people shop online on a weekday evening proving the Internet is a convenient alternative to the High Street.Broadband is also a factor in the continued success of online shopping. In the UK, 57 per cent of homes have broadband connection and broadband users on average spend 20 per cent more online than people with dial up connection.
CDs/ videos/ tapes/ records, books, holiday/ travel and clothes remain the most popular items purchased online. Amazon.co.uk is the biggest selling website followed by Argos.co.uk in the UK according to consumers.
Tagged as: royal mail. online shopping |
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