According to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, online sales for May were up 22% compared to the same month last year.
The e-commerce growth, the highest since June 2008, has been driven by warm weather and the World Cup.
The index also shows a 3% increase on month from April, bringing the total spent by consumers to £4.5 billion online during the month, the equivalent of £73 for every person in the UK.
Clothing sales saw the largest increase, up 32% on last year, while alcohol sales increased 23% and electrical goods 13% – these two categories are directly associated with the World Cup.
IMRG spokeswoman Tina Spooner said:
"In the year to date, the UK e-retail market has grown 14%, which is in line with our predictions for this year. With recent research suggesting that over half of consumers believe the economy is now recovering from the recession, it is evident that e-retailers have already started to benefit from an increase in consumer spending."
This is good news for business that sell online. Events like the World Cup introduce many first-time buyers online shopping, increasing the percentage of consumers who regularly shop on the web.
