Verdict Research reports that the continued growth in online shopping, despite current economic uncertainties, has been fuelled by the uptake of broadband Internet access. The study revealed that 55.5% of online shoppers had broadband access at home in 2007, up from 30% in 2006.

Online retail spending by UK consumers rose by 35% to £14.7 billion in 2007 and is predicted to top £44.9bn come 2012. The growth in 2007 was fuelled by a 24.7% increase in the number of Internet shoppers to 22.6m. UK Internet shoppers also spent an average of 7.8% more than a year earlier.

Presently, electrical products continue to dominate 25.1% of online purchases, although by 2012 this is predicted to be overtaken by food and groceries on 29%.