Value of online sales hits three year high

The value of online sales hit a three-year high in July, with travel showing the sharpest month-on-month growth of any sector.

However, companies with both an online and high-street presence saw double the rate of growth of internet-only retailers.

The latest IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index showed an 18% rise in internet sales year on year in July – the highest growth rate since 2007. Total online spending in the month hit £5 billion.

Online travel sales were up 18% in value on July 2009 in line with the general trend, but 32% higher than in June 2010 – more than double the rate of growth in almost all other sectors. Average growth in online sales from June to July was 14%.

Multi-channel retailers saw average month-on-month growth of 18% across all sectors in July compared with 8% for online-only retailers.

Capgemini head of retail consulting and technology Chris Webster said: “The stand-out result came from the travel sector, boosted by shoppers taking advantage of last-minute deals to escape the disappointing summer.”

The index is produced by e-retail industry body IMRG and technology consultancy Capgemini.