Online spending tops £4bn in month

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Wet weather was one factor behind last month's internet spending boom, said the report, by the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG), the industry body which represents e-retailers.

Online spending hit £4.2 billion during July - up 80% year-on-year.

The wet weather prompted many people to stay at home and surf the Net instead of hitting the high street, the IMRG said.

Electrical goods such as digital cameras, MP3 players and laptops were among the most popular products bought over the internet - up 102% on July 2006.

Sales of clothing, footwear and accessories were also stronger than ever before.

IMRG managing director Jo Evans said the online sales surge was surprising.

"This data is sound. It reveals the extent to which the retail sector is being transformed by frictionless e-commerce," she said.

"Major brands are bringing on-stream the next generation of slick new internet retailing services, and consumers are flocking to use them."

Electrical goods were popular items last month as shoppers stocked up ahead of their summer holidays.