The boom in online shopping


05 January 2007 08:38

Internet businesses in Norfolk have enjoyed a roaring trade over Christmas as city shoppers become more confident about buying online.

Up and down the country online shops saw sales soar by 50pc this year, according to the internet retail body, Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG).

Tesco's online sales rose by more than 30pc during the four weeks up to Christmas, as 1.3 million shoppers ordered groceries and Christmas gifts online, and Amazon.com said its worldwide festive sales set a record this year.

Mike Smith, who runs Tas Valley Vineyard at Forncett St Peter near Long Stratton, said he had seen sales of personalised Norfolk-grown wine from his website increase by 25pc this year.

The 51-year-old said: “In the run-up to Christmas we were taking 30 orders a week and our overheads are cheaper because we don't have to pay for staff or rent. We are now selling 75pc of our wine online and the rest you can buy from our vineyard. I think people like buying online because they can do it in the comfort of their own home. People like being able to compare prices.

“But getting the website known is the biggest challenge we face and I don't think online businesses will replace the high street as some people still like to go shopping.”

Lisa Angel, who runs an online hand-made jewellery business from Hall Road, Blofield, has seen her sales rocket by 50pc in the past year.

The 33 year-old gave up her job as a buyer at a top store in London to set up the business and started selling her products online in September 2005.

A former pupil at Hobart High School in Loddon, she sells hand-made silver jewellery, key rings and handbag charms from her website and at the Forum in Norwich.

She said: “There is a trend for internet shopping and people are becoming more confident at using the internet. My customer base is increasing, however they are nearly all from East Anglia.”

She said it was crucial to have a high street and an online presence as often people browsed her stall in the Forum and then bought the jewellery later online.

“In areas such as groceries when people don't have to look at it or try it on online retail might take over from the high street but with things like clothes people often want to look at them.”

“This has definitely been an online Christmas,” James Roper, chief executive IMRG said. “We think 25 million people now shop on the internet.”

However the high street continues to face a bleak future as specialist chains Music Zone and the Greeting Card Group both went into administration straight after Christmas while HMV and Woolworths have issued pre-Christmas profit warnings.



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www.lisaangel.co.uk

www.tasvalleyvineyard.co.uk

Do you run a business in a booming industry? Email Naomi Canton at naomi.canton@archant.co.uk or call her on 01603 772418.

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