06/09/2011

Online shopping experienced yet more growth in August, despite a slowdown in retail sales in the rest of the economy, a report has revealed.

According to the latest Retail Sales Monitor from the British Retail Consortium and KPMG, non-food and non-store (internet, mail-order and phone) purchases were up 12.6 per cent compared with a year ago.

This figure represents the fastest growth since April and is an improvement on the relatively weak rise of 9.6 per cent in July.

For the retail sector as a whole, like-for-like sales were down 0.6 per cent in August on 2010 levels, with footwear and homewares experiencing the biggest decline.

Meanwhile, big purchases are currently being driven by heavy discounting, the study added, amid weak consumer confidence.

Commenting on the figures, KPMG head of retail Helen Dickinson said: 'Promotional activity remains high to drive footfall and interest which is a delicate balancing act for retailers to ensure the volume uplift compensates for the margin losses.'

Recent research from the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) and eDigitalResearch found that tablet owners are more likely to purchase goods online than smartphone users.