Around 10% of retail spending now takes place on the Web and online spending is expected to reach £30bn this year, compared to £19.2bn in 2005, according to a UK study by the Interactive Media Retail Group (IMRG).
The survey found that one in 10 UK consumers now buying over the Internet and sales have grown at an average year-on-year rate of 45% for the past six months. Overall there has been a massive 2000% rise in Web shopping over the past six years.
IMRG says the online retail market in the UK is worth £30 billion.
This trend looks set to continue as over half of consumers surveyed say the plan to reduce their high street spending in the next 12 month, while 44% expect their online shopping to increase.
IMRG also predicts that a further £30 billion worth of tradiniotnal high street shopping is impacted by the Internet as consumers conduct research or react to information found on the Web.