A new independent report commission by Skillsmart Retail released on the busiest online shopping day examines the growing influence of e-commerce within the UK economy. The report concludes that e-retailing has the greatest potential for growth all year round compared to its high street cousin; and could potentially double its retail market share by 2012, when £1 in every £10 will be spent online. Strong year-on-year growth has defied the sluggish growth in the sector as a whole; sales of non food items grew 17.9% online compared to 0.8% in the overall sector.

With many analysts predicting a ‘last hurrah’ from consumers before next year’s VAT increase and up to 80% of Christmas shoppers using the internet to make purchases this year, online retailers are anticipating their strongest ever sales. Online Christmas sales are likely to be up 17.6% on last year, accounting for 9.5% of all sales over the festive period. A total of £56billion is expected to be spent online in 2010.

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