Millions of Britons are turning to internet bargains in an effort to save in constrictive financial conditions, uSwitch has suggested.
According to the price comparison site, online sales bucked the trend of spending decline, with e-commerce soaring to a record £26.5 billion in the first six months of the year.
Meanwhile, UK high street retail sales fell 3.9 per cent in June, said to be the sharpest monthly decline witnessed since records began.
With online sales currently accounting for 19 per cent of all retail sales, uSwitch went on to forecast that this proportion will grow to 44 per cent by 2020.
Commenting on the findings, Steve Weller, communications expert at the group, said: "With less spending money than ever, higher petrol prices and busier lifestyles, it makes perfect sense for consumers to turn to the internet to fulfil their shopping needs."
Last month, uSwitch reported that despite widespread broadband usage, 4.2 million customers are unhappy with their broadband speed.
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