5 Jan 2008

The Great British Spending Spree

With retailers announcing a fall in business this Christmas, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s all doom and gloom for retailers. However, all is not what it seems!

Experts are predicting that High Street sales will be around 3 percent lower this Christmas – a trend that retailers have seen throughout the year and not just over the festive period. More significantly, though, this season’s Christmas sales are expected to confirm a permanent change in the UK consumer’s shopping habits, with further significant growth in internet shopping.

Internet sales for the fourth quarter of 2007 are expected to hit almost �18 bn – an increase of over 80% on last year. Indeed, not only did we spend more than we’ve ever spent from the comfort of our own homes over the crucial holiday period, we even spent over �80 million on Christmas day itself!

The face of retailing continues to change, with the continued growth of online trading threatening the traditional dominance of the High Street. That’s why it is crucial that retailers adopt modern trading, training and business methods.

The eBiz Centre has been helping local retailers prepare themselves for the internet shopping revolution. Special events, workshops and seminars are held on a regular basis to help with advice on building an internet presence, setting up online trading accounts and offering advice on how to promote businesses on the internet.

For more information, visit the eBiz Centre website.