Broadband boost for UK e-commerce

The growth of e-commerce in the UK has been partially due to the development of a high-speed broadband network, a leading organisation claims.

Experts from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have suggested that the burgeoning online retail sector is directly linked to the greater availability of broadband connections.

Richard Dodd, BRC head of media campaigns, said that people used to be "nervous" regarding online payments, but these security concerns have been "largely overcome".

"More people are getting broadband and more people are getting confident with buying online and part of that of course is convenience in making an easy price comparison," he explained.

"It is good news for retailers as it opens up the whole world as a potential market which is good news for all retailers, but very often smaller more specialised retailers."

According to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, UK consumers spent in excess of £4.67 billion online during December, including £102 million on Christmas Day.

The firm also revealed that 59.9 per cent of people spent more money online during Christmas 2008 compared to the same period the year before.