Online sales in the run up to Christmas rose by 50 per cent this year, according to early reports, with internet retailers like Tesco and Amazon leading the way.
Retail industry body IMRG predicts that online sales could be as much as £500m above the £7bn predicted for the 10 week period up to Christmas.
Online sales for this time last year were just under £5bn.
Tesco.com was one of the biggest winners during the festive period, with a record 1.3 million orders delivered in the four weeks to Christmas. The grocery giant needed an additional 300 vans and picking staff.
Demand for groceries online was also high, with 14 million items ordered through its web site.
Amazon was the most visited online retailer and received 750,000 orders for books, DVDs and toys and 600,000 parcels delivered on its busiest day.
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