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Online sales affected by October postal Strike

Posted by James | Filed under news

The recent national postal strike causes a huge slowdown in the growth of online sales of goods according to a study by IMRG Capgemini.

Sky News reports that the firm’s e-Retail Sales Index show that in the last week of October – when strike action was at its largest – online sales dropped by 5%, leading to a £53million fall in sales.

The IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index showed British shoppers spent £4.2 billion online in October, an increase of almost 12% on the same month last year.

Consumer confidence in Royal Mail’s ability to deliver goods bought online was a major factor in October’s e-retail sales values and volumes decline but with the threat of further industrial action averted in the run-up to Christmas, it is hoped that shoppers’ doubts and concerns can be alleviated.

Mike Petevinos of Capgemini said: “E-retailers must ensure they heed the October warning signs and act to reassure consumers that orders will be delivered in time for Christmas.

“With consumer confidence restored, e-retailers can get on with the real challenge of convincing consumers to spend online and resist the temptation to wait even longer for last minute discounting on the high street.”

Tags: consumer, online shopping, retail, royal mail, shopping