Internet Sales Still Experiencing Double Digit Growth

Although we all know the high street is struggling, it's extremely pleasing to see some new industry figures which show online continues to buck the trend.

Here's the latest retail figures which give some cause for celebration:

- The latest IMRG and Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index shows a 9% month-on-month growth in March compared to February and an increase of 19% YoY. This covers the whole retail sector (which varies significantly between categories) but clothing, footwear and accessories continue to be recording the highest monthly growth (28%).

- Video games retailer GAME.co.uk reported an increase in online sales of 85% in its preliminary results for the year (to the end of January). Online profitability also increased 109% YoY. Group sales (including high street) were up 32% overall.

- Amazon reported a sales increase of 18% for the first three months of 2009, with profits up 24%. This includes US figures, but the international segment sales (which includes UK, DE, FR, JP and China) were up 15%.

- Debenhams online sales were up 30% for the six months to the end of February. Clearly this is comparing Christmas figures with non-Christmas figures but a 30% rise in 6 months is still impressive.

- Tesco.com reported last week that their online business increased sales by 20%, to a whopping £1.9bn. Profits for the online channel (which includes Tesco Direct) were up to £109m.


Check out Internet Retailing for more news on these stories.