Data released this week showed that 2013 was the 'year of the mobile' for consumers in the UK, as shoppers spent £91 billion online, a new record and a 16% increase from 2012.
This means that online sales now accounts for 21% of the UK's overall retail market, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.
The growth in sales was ahead of IMRG Capgemini's forecast of a 12% increase for 2013, with December sales rising 18% to £11 billion as shoppers bought their Christmas presents online.
For 2014, the index has predicted that sales will rise to £107 billion. Tina Spooner, chief information officer at IMRG, said 2013 had been "year of the mobile", with retail sales via mobile devices increasing by 138%.
Mobile phones and tablet computers are now used for nearly 6% of all retail sales in the UK. And in December, 27% of all online sales were from a mobile device.
"Sales via mobiles will continue to rise in 2014, this is now mainstream," Chris Webster, head of retail at Capgemini told the Guardian.
It's effect on the supermarket industry was plain for all to see. Online savvy retailers like Tesco and Lidl, saw sales of their own brand tablet devices rocket. Morrisons though, who were up until 1 January without a strong online presence, had a poor Christmas period.
