Even though it took awhile for the online shopping sector to take off, growth of 35% in 2007, 25% in 2008 and a forecast 13.3% in 2009 are substantial figures by anybody's standards. However, whether it is the recession or the fact that the rate of growth is slowing naturally, the fall from 35% growth to 13% in two years is substantial. However, retailers will be pleased to know that turnover is expected to top £20 billion for the first time ever in 2009.

There are two trains of thought as to why the online shopping market has been so popular over the last two years, one being the fact we have been in a recession and people have been looking for bargains, the other being the general acceptance of the Internet as a viable shopping medium. In truth it's probably a mix of the two and it is also evident that online growth has resulted in a number of off-line retailers going out of business.

Tight cost controls, larger market coverage and a general acceptance of the Internet by the majority of UK consumers have been at the heart of the surge in demand. While growth may not match that of recent years, there is no doubt that the Internet and online shopping is very much in its infancy.

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