Ecommerce sales grew by 13% in July, compared to the same time last year, the Office for National Statistics estimates today.
Overall, they accounted for 12.6% of all retail sales, with an average £821.m spent online each week, according to the ONS Retail Sales report for July. Last July, ecommerce sales accounted for 11.4% of all retail spending.
Overall, UK shoppers spent an average £7.1bn a week on retail transactions during the month, spending 1% more than at the same time last year but buying 4.2% more in quantity. Compared to the previous month, spending was down by 0.2%, with the quantity bought up by 0.1%.
Online department store sales grew by 10.1%, with 10.6% of sales in the category made over the internet. Textile, clothing and footwear ecomemrce sales grew by 9.5%, accounting for 12.3% of sales in the sector, while ecommerce sales at household goods stores grew by 22.3% – some 6.8% of all spending in the category.
Commenting on the figures, Keith Richardson, managing director retail sector at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Shoppers started to spruce up their holiday wardrobes in the first warm week of July, and did not stop spending all month.
“Sales of barbeque food and camping gear also rose as the sun came out, followed by toys and games as the school holidays began later in the month. Meanwhile the robust housing market continues to support sales of big ticket furniture and homeware.
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