Christmas shopping online reaches all-time high

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 11, 2008 -- More and more North Easterner’s chose the computer over the high street this Christmas, with almost 42% completing half or more of their Christmas shopping online in 2007.

Figures from Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) show that online spending for the Christmas period in the UK as a whole was up by 106% when compared with statistics from the previous year, and it appears that shoppers in the North East are mirroring that trend.

The results of a survey conducted by The North East Regional Portal show that almost 7% of those questioned claimed to have completed all of their Christmas shopping online.

When put into context the figure represents a substantial number of ‘Digital Devotees’, those dependent on online shopping facilities for 100% of their Christmas shopping, purchasing everything without setting foot in a single shop!

A further 15% can be regarded as ‘Bulk Buyers ’having completed approximately 75% of their Christmas shopping online, whilst the figures for ‘Split Shoppers’, those conducting half of their purchasing via the internet, included a further 20%.

43% of all those surveyed admitted to being ‘Bargain Snipers’, using the internet to ease the burden of the Christmas shopping rush, conducting a 25% portion of their shopping online.

Pascal Fintoni, head of e-business at The North East Regional Portal said: “The results indicate that online shopping is rapidly becoming a common practice among the people of the North East, as it is both nationally and internationally. The fact that so many people are placing their trust in the internet as a secure and convenient means of purchasing a variety of goods highlights the recent improvements in online shopping facilities.”

Perhaps the most surprising figure of all the fact that a further 15% of survey respondents fall into the ‘Foot Soldiers’ category, completing all of their Christmas shopping in the traditional manner, without using any online facilities whatsoever.

The number of ‘Foot Soldiers’ appears to indicate that there are still a proportion of North Easterners who are yet to embrace the benefits of online shopping, and suggests that the figures can be expected to rise dramatically once again next year.


* Key: types of shoppers
Digital Devotee – people who completed 100% Christmas shopping online.
Bulk Buyer – people who completed 75% Christmas shopping online.
Split Shopper – people who completed 50% of their Christmas shopping online.

Bargain Sniper – people who completed 25% shopping online.
Foot soldiers – people who prefer the high street than online shopping.

Notes for editors

The Regional Portal is closely aligned with and supports the eLeadership Council’s vision, which is to ensure that the North East of England is at the forefront of the digital revolution – a place where skills, talents and self belief of its people transform life and work in the 21st century. Our vision is of a vibrant e-business landscape and digitally connected region in the North East of England – a place where people and businesses are empowered by innovative use of e-business solutions and practices, establishing the region at the leading edge of the digital revolution.

The Portal offers a wide portfolio of services including:
 Search engine optimisation (SEO) workshops and consultancy.
 Emarketing support and products – including website and newsletter creation.
 Content management, web writing, copy writing and editorial services.
 Online PR Services.
 Bid writing basics workshops.
 Public procurement consultancy.
 Project management consultancy, services and training.

For further information telephone (0191) 487 2002 or visit www.n-e-life.com.

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