Online shopping more popular than ever with consumers
January 19, 2008 by admin
Filed under News, News-Credit-Cards
Latest research has revealed that online sales rose by more than 50 per cent in the three months leading up to Christmas. 
Internet sales for 2007 totalled £46.6 billion which equates to 15p in every pound spent on retail in the UK was online, according to figures from the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) study.
James Roper, the chief executive of the e-retail organisation, said: “Virtually all the growth in retail is now online.”
“There is no growth anywhere else and it is taking more and more business from the high street to online channels. Internet has become the dynamo of retail. It is where all the growth is now,” he added.
Online consumers splashed out £15.2billion between October and December alone, the report showed.
Sales of electronic goods increased by 60 per cent compared with December 2006, proving to be the most popular items to buy over the internet.
Meanwhile, reports from Argos claimed that the Nintendo Wii was one of the most popular products with consumers at Christmas.
Games sales were reportedly up by 40 per cent said the retailer.
Wedding insurance ‘worth investing in’
July 10, 2007 by admin
Filed under News, News-Insurance
Wedding insurance is ‘competitively priced’ and ‘well worth investing in’, Marks & Spencer said today.
The retailer stated that insurance ought to be taken out as soon as any money towards the wedding had been spent – which could be as much as two years before the event.
The range of cover which the insurance generally offers – including everything from cancellation and contractual disputes to wedding cake damage – was cited by Marks & Spencer in its recommendation of the service.
Spokesperson Liz Neild said: “The only thing that isn’t covered is what is politely called ‘disinclination to marry’ by either the bride or groom – so [if you] change your mind it doesn’t cover you. But there’s a whole raft of other things it does cover you for.”
Ms Neild added that the retailer also offers a free stress counselling service for members of the wedding party. “Apparently one of the biggest [worries] is seating plans”, she added.
Wedding insurance is a growing part of the market, with its introduction to the high street dating only from 2002.
However, with the average wedding in the UK now costing a massive £15,244 – and with that figure rising to over £18,000 in London – financial compensation if things go wrong has become more important for the average consumer.
