Online sales up 18% on last year

Post-Christmas online sales have increased by 18% year on year, which has exceeded forecasts.

The figures from the latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index noted that while online sales in January took a natural post-Christmas dip of 26%, sales were still up by 18% from the previous year, which equates to an estimated £8.1bn online spend.

In January 2014, the average basket value increased by £4, from £74 in January 2013 to £78 last month.

Many sectors saw growth in January, including home and garden (21%), health and beauty (23%) and clothing (9%). The average spend was up 6% over the year.

The travel sector saw 233% growth month-on-month – the highest IMRG has ever recorded. The sector also saw an increase of 16% over the same period last year.

Chris Webster, vice-president, head of retail consulting and technology at Capgemini, said: “The high conversion rate recorded in January also demonstrates that retailers are continuing to evolve their digital platforms, helping to secure sales by improving the customer journey from browsing right through to purchase.”

Over the 2013 Christmas period, record online sales of 20% were recorded, while further research found that 138% more UK shoppers were using mobile devices in 2013 than 2012.