Online spending in Britain rose at its slowest annual pace in September, 2009 since records began in 2000, hit by promotions from store groups, warm weather and disruption to postal services.
The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail sales index showed online sales rose a lower-than-normal 1.9 percent month-on-month in September to 3.9 billion pounds ($6.4 billion) and were up 7.6 percent on the year. “The results for September show a slowdown in the growth of online spending but we view this as a temporary blip and expect growth rates to return to the 15 percent year on year trend we have seen over the last year,” said Mike Petevinos, head of consulting for retail at Capgemini UK.
Growth in online sales of clothing, footwear and accessories slowed to an annual rate of 10 percent from a recent average of 20 percent due to a step in promotions from store groups and warm weather, which encouraged shoppers to leave their homes. “Postal strikes have also acted as a deterrent for online shoppers, and will continue to be a key concern for e-retailers in the lead up to Christmas,” IMRG Capgemini said.
Workers at Britain’s state-owned Royal mail postal service are planning a series of one-day strikes from October 22 in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and modernization.
(Reporting by Mark Potter; editing by Elaine Hardcastle : Source: bnet.com)
