Almost 12% of retail sales took place online in November, according to official figures.
The latest Retail Sales Bulletin from the Office for National Statistics show ecommerce sales accounted for 11.9% of all UK sales in November, 1.4% ahead of last year.
Total UK sales were put at £30.2bn, 2.7% up on the same time last year, in value, and 2.0% more in volume. The ONS puts total weekly retail sales at £7.6bn last month, up from £7.3bn in November 2012. Online weekly sales were £809.9m, 15.1% up on last year.
“Notably,” said the ONS report, “the online spend at department stores was estimated at a record 11.4% reflecting feedback from retailers that suggested investment in their internet sites has boosted sales but at the same time detracted from sales in store.”
Ecommerce department store internet sales were 31.3% up on the same time last year, while textile, clothing and footwear commerce sales were 28.9% ahead, and now account for 11.1% of sales. Online sales, however, were 14.6% down at household goods stores, where they accounted for 5.6% of total sales.
Online grocery sales rose by 11.7% and now account for 3.6% of all food sales.
The ONS figures are estimates based on a monthly survey of 5,000 retailers of all sizes, including all those employing 100 people or more.
