Online retail sales up 18% in February

Online retail sales in the UK were up 18% in February when compared with the same month last year, according to IMRG Capgemini eRetail Sales Index.

The growth, which saw £18.9bn spent during the month, represented an increase on the 8% rise in online sales in February 2015 and was the highest year-on-year increase announced since June 2015.

Much of the growth recorded in February was driven by an especially strong month for online clothing sales, which saw a significant year-on-year spike of 22% – its largest annual growth since June 2013.

Tina Spooner, chief information officer, IMRG said: “Following a strong performance in January, UK e-retail sales continued to accelerate last month, resulting in overall year-on-year growth of 16%, year-to-date.

“Although this is on the back of a relatively weak performance in Q1 2015, the latest results are impressive and are well ahead of our 11% growth forecast for 2016.”

The shift towards shopping on mobile devices continued, with smartphones accounting for over a third (34%) of mobile commerce sales during February – up from 24% in the same month last year.