An increasing number of people are shopping online despite the credit crunch, according to reports.
A study by retail analysts Verdict Research revealed that shoppers spent £14.7 billion online last year, an increase of 35 per cent, and this is expected to rise to £44.9 billion by 2012.
"The internet is widely perceived as a cheaper and easier way of finding lower prices and bargains in most sectors," said Malcolm Pinkerton, Verdict's senior retail analyst.
With the internet now easier to access and considerably faster due to the introduction of broadband technology more shoppers are choosing to shop online rather than on the high street.
"As the cost of broadband falls, consumers become accustomed to internet shopping and retailers continue to enhance their online propositions, the channel will find itself extremely well-placed to capitalise on the falling consumer confidence and lower levels of disposable income currently impacting the retail market," added Mr Pinkerton.
Amazon was the most popular online marketplace with UK shoppers, according to a survey by web monitoring firm Hitwise.
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