Online shopping saw its busiest day of the year on Sunday, as Christmas shoppers recognised the benefits of shopping from home in a bid to cut costs during difficult financial times.
Figures suggest that 77% of people plan to do at least half of their Christmas shopping online this year, which has risen from 56% last year.
It is also expected that online shopping will reach £13billion overall in the run up to Christmas 2008.
Currently, multimedia phones are among the highest selling products on Internet marketplace eBay, with the Nokia N96 challenging the iPhone.
Cocktail shakers, traditional board games and coffee makers are also doing well, suggesting that online shopping allows customers to purchase products at lower costs.
User traffic on eBay reached a staggering 4.5million people on Sunday, and Monday 8th December was the second busiest online shopping day of 2008.
The Royal Mail service is experiencing a surge in business as a result of increased spending online, often handling over 120 million items per day.
Royal Mail expect to sort over two billion items in the four weeks leading up to Christmas, and eBay are offering a hearty breakfast to staff at a London mail centre in recognition of post workers’ dedication to their work this Christmas.
By Kay Taylor.