Shoppers seeking sales bargains spent more online than in any previous January, figures out today show.
Online spending in the United Kingdom hit £4.5 billion last month - a 75 per cent upturn on January 2007, according to Interactive Media in Retail Group.
Electrical goods and clothes were especially popular as shoppers looked for sales bargains, although January's spending was still a decrease compared to December's record £5.42 billion online spend.
Spending on electrical goods over the internet last month was up 38 per cent compared to January 2007, while clothing increased by 32 per cent.
The beers, wines and spirits sector saw lower year-on-year growth of 9.8 per cent last month, while health and beauty products rose 18 per cent over the same period.