Press & PR

New industry research predicts a continuing rise in online retail markets in the coming year, after recording a 60 per cent growth in last quarter sales for 2007.

In the period October to December, online consumer spending reached £15 billion, up from £9.67 billion from the previous year, according to technology consultant CapGemini.

The IMRG CapGemini e-retail sales index is now in its seventh year and is the industry standard measurement of online retail performance.

Anthoula Madden, vice-president at Capgemini's consumer products and retail team, offers a warning for companies not currently using online sales strategies.

"Retailers who do not have an online presence are effectively seeing their available market share eroded," she says.

The findings follow a recent report from Ofcom that it is committed to developing faster broadband technologies and Next Generation Access throughout the UK.

With businesses and customers using broadband services all over Britain, internet telecommunications technologies are becoming more accessible.

Vonage's V-plan 1 provides unlimited free calls throughout the UK and Ireland for just £5.99 a month.