Online sales growth slowed in July, recording one of the weakest monthly rises the sector has seen for almost two years, according to new figures out today from the British Retail Consortium, which called for action to boost consumer confidence before ‘spending paralysis’ sets in.

Multichannel shoppers are giving high street retailers reason for optimism, according to new analysis carried out for Experian. The research identified distinct categories and geographical hotspots for multichannel shoppers and includes tips for retailers on how to target them.

In this week’s preview of Internet Retailing 2011, we look at what the third stream of the event has to offer. Track three focuses on The Industry, and how retail is changing in the light of new technologies from rich media to mobile commerce.

Retailers can now try out an automated tool from Visible Delivery that allows shoppers to compare ecommerce postal charges with the real cost of driving to the shop to buy the product.

Google and Facebook retain their respective leads in the search engine and social networking categories of internet visits – but their competitors are gaining. Notable challengers include Microsoft Sites and YouTube.

LateRooms.com has chosen Buy.at for its UK performance marketing activity. Buy.at says the brand has potential for future growth.

House of Fraser will unveil a new store concept when it opens for business in Aberdeen next month. The move marks a return for the brand to a city it left in 2002.

Stamp collectors will soon be able to tap into knowledge and knowhow with the launch of Stanley Gibbons’ online philatelic trading community. The platform is due for launch later this year.

Click and collect services are expanding fast, benefitting both customers and retailers, says Mark Lewis, chief executive of Collect+. He argues that such services are an important step on the road to multichannel shopping.

Online augmented reality technology from Holition is giving Tatler readers the chance to try on jewellery worth £10m. A dozen brands are taking part in the initiative.

Fashion retailer Next reported an uplift in sales in the first half of its year – thanks to its online performance. A dip in shop-based sales was compensated by healthy Directory sales.

Best Buy UK is now asking customers to rate not only the products it sells but also its customer service. It says this feedback helps it to convert potential new customers considering whether to complete a transaction.

Scottish and northern online shoppers can now get their goods delivered to their door in just 90 minutes. The service from Shutl is launched in Manchester, Birmingham,

Online white goods retailer DRL says it is relieved to have won a case against logistics company Wincanton at appeal. Wincanton has been ordered to repay more than £470,000, plus costs, to DRL, while a further settlement is likely next year.

Italian fashion brand Benetton has launched its own online radio station as part of a major redesign of its website. Social media and fashion advice are also key to the new-look site.

In our latest preview of Internet Retailing 2011, we’re taking a look at what track two of the event has to offer. Track two is dedicated to The Team – and what exactly goes on at the back end to offer that front-end customer service.

Reports that venture capital company Balderton Capital has invested in Achica draw attention to growing taste consumers have for upmarket homewares at knock-down prices.

What type of marketing is more likely to bring customers to your website? It may come as a surprise, but according to research loyalty marketing company GI Insight, the answer is direct mail.