Online shopping in the UK has jumped 33 per cent in the past 12 months, said a study published today.
Up to 6 per cent of adults have ordered goods or services online in the last year. This translates to 24 per cent of all Internet users.
The study by Taylor Nelson Sofres Interactive said there was still some reluctance among internet users to making purchases on the Web.
Some 28 per cent of users who have not shopped online say they are concerned about giving their credit card details or associated security problems.
The research is part of TNSi's Global e-Commerce Report 2001, which interviewed more than 42,000 people in 36 countries.
Across all countries surveyed, there has been an rise of 50 per cent in the number of Internet users shopping online in the past year.
Books make up 25 per cent of online purchases, followed by music at 20 per cent and food at 14 per cent.
TNSi's Pete Cape said: "These findings confirm that online shopping is starting to take off and its potential is now being recognised by many Internet users."