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The countdown the Christmas is getting shorter and the shopping lists get longer; the thought of battling with the crowds on the high street becomes more and more off putting. This may not be the case as a new report states that more money will be spent this year on Christmas shopping online. This Christmas season boost is a threat to high street shops as 14% of the UK will bulk buy their festive good online, which is double what it was last year. The UK internet shopping market is worth over £20 billion due to more than 20 million people buying online this year. There are several reasons why online shopping is becoming more popular in the festive season. Firstly because it can be done in the comfort of your own home, with no crowds and large shopping areas to get through. Internet shopping is fast, easy and the products are delivered to your door. Broadband prices are also getting cheaper with faster connections to make online shopping easier. Internet prices are also on average 13% cheaper than store prices, everyday products like groceries are kept the same online. Internet shopping is also predicted to increase throughout the years. In 2002 online sales were just 2% but in 2020, it is predicted to be up to 40%. Online shopping has now overtaken other popular internet activities likes gaming, downloading and online banking. Recent research publish has stated that 50% of adults have bought items online and more men than women shop online. The average UK broadband user spends 50days a year online, indicating that more people are browsing around shopping websites rather than the shops themselves.
Staff editor, Broadband Section, November 2007 |
