British consumers have become Europe’s top online consumers following record online shopping growth rates in the run-up to Christmas.

UK consumers spent nearly £5 billion in the 10 weeks before the festive holiday - an average £208 each, topping 2004’s Christmas total of £3.3bn.

With Internet shopping now accounting for 9 per cent of our retail spending, the UK has now become Europe’s top online spender. Last year Brits spent £875 on average compared to the European average of £452.

The huge growth reflects poor high street sales highlighted in recent media reports, and is attributed largely to a surge in broadband connections. Uptake grew by 60 per cent last year and connections now exist in 36 per cent of homes.

Publishing figures today, the Interactive Media in Retail Group predict the online retail market to reach £26bn in 2006 with the individual’s average annual spend reaching more than £1,000 for the first time.

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