eMarketer has released its UK Internet: Users and usage report that shows some very positive numbers for businesses that can benefit from people going online. Highlights include:

• Last year, about 37 million people or roughly 60% of the population went online in a month; this figure is expected to rise to about 42.8 million (roughly 70%) of the population by 2011.
• Online sales in the UK will almost triple to reach about GBP 84 billion by 2011 from about GBP 30 billion in 2006.
• Almost 40% of online sales in Western Europe will come from the UK; while UK’s share of the overall online sales will continue to drop over the next few years as e-commerce takes off in other parts of Europe, it will continue to be the leader in online sales for some time to come.
• Books, grocery and travel are probably the three biggest categories that shoppers spend their money on (at least based on the top online shops they are seen to visit).
• The average spend per e-buyer is likely to be close to GBP2000 this year, which is a 20% growth compared to 2007. This figure should be exciting to affiliates who are more likely to be interested in the near-term possibilities.
  Of course, as I said in a recent post related to the projections for affiliate marketing from e-consultancy, I would be a bit wary of being too optimistic this year.

Interestingly, the eMarketer report points out that online shoppers seem to be very satisified with their online buying experiences. Security also seems to be less of an issue. Both of these contradict most other studies that have come out in recent times, related to security of online transactions and the satisfaction levels of online buyers.
What does that mean? Your answer is as good as mine..


UK e-commerce surges as more people go online - Read More...