Online Sales Riding High at 22.5% In August, Says ONS

Online sales in August surged 22.5 per cent in August after customers returned to the internet to buy their goods.

The increase was flattered by a slow July when a heatwave encouraged many shoppers to visit the high street which resulted a swing back to the internet last month at many retailers, such as John Lewis. 

There was also a lull during an 'unusually low' online shopping traffic month in August last year during the London Olympics which helped cause this year's spike, according to the Office of National Statistics.

Total sales over the internet reached £579.6 million per week or 9.7 per cent of total retail sales, excluding fuel. The biggest jump was at department stores with a 30 per cent rise in online sales and now accounting for 8.3 per cent of total sales.

The amount of food sold online increased 15.6 per cent and now accounts for 3.2 per cent of sales in the grocery sector.

The total quantity bought in the retail sector increased 2.1 per cent, continuing the underlying pattern of growth seen since April, the ONS said.

Despite strong growth online, the ONS said there was considerable 'downward pressure' from the grocery sector where consumers are studying bills and seeking ways to cut back.