January 02 2007

96% increase in online turnover for small retailers

Turnover from online sales amongst small to medium multi-channel retailers increased by an average of 96% in November and December when compared with the same period of 2005, according to ecommerce software developer Actinic.

Most of the increase came from customers spending more online. Nevertheless, the Actinic survey found that the overall number of online shoppers rose by 30% over the same period.

The survey suggests that multi-channel retailers generate, on average, about 27% of their business online.

75% of respondents expected online sales to grow in 2007, compared with only 25% who expected to see offline growth. Ben Biscoe of Fairyglass Jewellery commented, "I have 12 years experience as a brand manager in a specialist market, and this year has been the hardest for offline retailers for at least a decade."

Not everyone is happy with the growth in internet trading, however. John Sollars of printer cartridge supplier Stinkyink said, "My postman said that this Christmas was the busiest he had ever experienced in 21 years on the post, and it was all down to that bloody internet!"

Emma Herrod