Post date: Nov 29, 2010 3:35:4 PM
Record Xmas sales of online goods are predicted this week and next on what are being dubbed Mega Monday's.
UK-MEGA MONDAY - The Christmas countdown has begun as shoppers hit the streets in London's West End spending a reported 250 million pounds in one weekend.
But its online retailers who are expected to cash in this year - with Mega Mondays forecast for this week and next.
David Smith from the UK's online industry regulator, IMRG, says December the 6th is predicted to be the
busiest online shopping day of the year.David Smith, MD IMRG, saying,
"It's a bit early to say just exactly how much they're saying they're going to be spending but certainly talking to some of our members, they're anticipating between the hours of 12 and 1 around about £23 million pounds being spent just in that 1 hour."
One online retailer expecting super sales next week is Play.com.
Stuart Rowe is the company's managing director.
Stuart Rowe, managing director, saying:
"This year we think the 6th December is going to be approximately 20 percent up year on year and at its peak we think we're going to take 1,200 orders a minute which is absolutely phenomenal and of course we have to plan for that day month's in advance because it's such a big peak, such an important day for us."
Big ticket items such as tvs and other electrical goods are expected to do well as shoppers buy before the UK's sales tax goes up in January.
But there's still plenty on offer for those watching the pennies.
Stuart Rowe, managing director, saying:
"We've got a few quirky things in there called Dave the funky monkey which is a little robot monkey that sits on your shoulder and he joins in your conversations and on a cold day like today we've got microwavable slippers to keep your feet warm."
Online sales make up between 10-14 percent of the overall retail market.
Experts say its growing ever year with more and more of high street stores having an online presence too.
David Smith, MD IMRG, saying,:
"50/50 I think is still a long way off, we certainly feel that by the end of the decade that 90 percent of off-line shopping will be influenced by online and that is certainly the case at the moment. We've seen the rise in mobile commerce for example this year, people using their mobile phones when they're in stores to check prices."
The high street seems safe for now but it may not be too long before they're just places to view goods - with the final purchase being made from the comfort of your home.
Hayley Platt, Reuters.