Internet retail sales strong in March 2009

A flurry of data for the year up to March show internet sales continue to perform strongly. Nevertheless the latest IMRG Capgemini e-retail sales index shows a slowing of growth year-on-year, suggesting online is not immune to credit crunch belt tightening.

According to IMRG online retail sales increased by 9% month-on-month and by 19% year-on-year, slightly down on the previous comparison.

Official, albeit trial, statistics from the Office of National Statistics showed 14% growth in internet retail sales as a proportion of total retail sales in March to reach 3.4%, some way down on the Novemberr 2008 peak of 3.8% no doubt prompted by Christmas bargain-hunting.

Nevertheless, large e-commerce and online retail sites have also reported strong growth.

Asos, the online fashion retailer, saw sales climb an impressive 104% in the 12 months to end of March 2009.

Nick Robertson, chief executive of Asos, said:

We are not immune to the prevailing economic conditions, however, as widely reported, younger fashion is proving more resilient, internet shopping continues to gain in popularity and our international sales are being bolstered by the weak pound.

Meanwhile Amazon announced sales growth of 18% to $4.89 billion during the first quarter of the year.

Good news for online retail. More reasons why smaller businesses must have an online sales channel.

[Picture credit: jurvetson licenced from Flickr]