The online Christmas shopping spree

The face of Christmas shopping in the credit crunch era is expected to change drastically, with an increase of 10 percent on online Christmas sales.

The total online spend is estimated to reach £4.7 billion this year with22 percent of people living in the North West expected to spend online, with Yorkshire the least likely at 11 percent.

Research from business advisory firm, Deloitte, indicates that the average spend online is £773, compared to the average high street spend of £655 even though other revenues are expected to fall.

Online shopping is expected to be more stable than ever before as more people are shunning the high street and hoping to take advantage of the offers that are available online.

Ian Geddes, the Lead Retail Consulting partner at Deloitte, said that internet shoppers tend to splash out more (over 15 percent more than the equivalent high street shopper).

Yesterday was expected to be one of the busiest shopping days online, since after visiting the shops over the weekend, people are talking out their cards for a quick surf on the web in order to receive their gifts in time for Christmas.

Normally it is the second week in December that is the busiest of the festive season. However, this year it is expected to be early due to the cut in VAT, which has caused many retailers in the UK to cut their prices by up to 20 percent.

Story link: The online Christmas shopping spree