Online sales take the lead with UK shoppers

Internet spending has risen by more than a quarter in the past two years, according to a new report from The UK Cards Association.

The report analysed how the UK uses payment cards online.

Card spending on the internet totalled £154bn in the UK in 2016, averaging £422m a day.

This is a rise of 28% since 2014, when online spending amounted to £120bn.

Figures also show the UK spends online more per household than any other country, at $5,900 (£4600) in 2015.

Richard Koch, head of policy at The UK Cards Association, said: “The internet enables millions of people to access services around the clock from wherever they are based.

Payment cards have driven this revolution, providing an easy and secure way to shop online, whether it is to buy an app for your phone or a sofa for your living room.”

Since the early days of internet shopping there has been a host of innovations, from digital wallets to one click purchases, which bring enhanced security, choice and convenience for customers and which will lead to continued growth in the sector.”

The additional protection provided when using a card also gives consumers extra peace of mind when they are shopping online.”

The report covers debit and credit card transactions made over the internet and processed in the UK.