ONLINE SHOPPING FIGURES show that we Brits have spent the equivalent of £79 per person in one month of ‘summer’.

E-retail sales index IMRG Capgemini released figures today which show that online spending rose to a market value of £4.8 billion in July alone.

Online retail figures blasted the high street numbers again as BRC figures show that sales for July were 0.9 percent down on June.

Mike Petevinos, Head of Consulting for Retail at Capgemini UK, says, “Gloomy market conditions have not dampened consumers’ appetite for shopping online. Sales continue to show strong growth, particularly when compared to the tough trading conditions on the high street.”

This is one thing that our rubbishy wet summer didn’t affect, as shoppers cheered themselves up by buying summer holiday clothes online – clothing, shoes and accessories sales grew by a huge 22.8 percent.

Stephanie Curry, Operations Director for Shoe-Shop.com, said of its sales, “Despite the doom and gloom on the high street and a summer which has killed sandal sales, our web sales are still growing at over 30 percent year on year. The internet is becoming ever more important as a location to find quality products not available in every town.”

Alcohol sales were affected online however, as the cats and dogs falling meant the barbecue season failed to ignite.

The electrical sector was also boosted this July, most likely due to the demand for the Apple Iphone 3G and big old HD televisions in time for Olympic viewing.

"This month’s Index results show that there is still confidence in purchasing products and services online despite the current economic conditions," explained Jo Evans, MD of IMRG. µ