UK E-Shopping Figures

The number of UK consumers shopping online has reached its highest level yet and now stands at 16 million ­- around 1.3m higher than May 2004, according to BMRB's Internet Monitor survey.

The average online shopper has spent £605 in the last 6 months - up from £572 in May 2004. Total annual Internet spend is now around £19.4 billion -­ a ten per cent increase vs August last year.

Among users of the Internet who have not yet bought online, 27% cite concerns over credit card security as the main reason (down from 31% in May) and 18% a preference for the personal contact involved in going into a shop.

eBay is still the most visited e-commerce site among Britons, with 51% of the online population visiting it in the last four weeks - this has risen 5% since May. Amazon.co.uk has moved back up to number two with 37%, overtaking Argos despite the latter also making gains in percentage terms.

Awareness of eBay has also risen fast - 91% are now aware of it, up from 78% a year ago - it remains in first position. Tesco remains the most-visited supermarket site - by 23% of Internet users in the last four weeks - followed by Sainsbury's with 12%, Asda 9%, Iceland 6%, Safeway 5% and Ocado 2%.

The Internet Monitor is a syndicated survey conducted every 3 months, which started in 1996. 1,000 interviews were conducted by telephone in August 2004 with a representative sample of Internet users aged 15+. BMRB's web site is at www.bmrb.co.uk .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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