Internet marketing company RS London have shared their thoughts on figures released by IMRG Capgemini which show that there was over £100billion spent online in 2014, the highest figure ever in the UK. 

Annual internet sales have hit £100billion for the first time in history, with a total of £104billion believed to have been spent online last year, an increase of 14% on 2013 figures, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.

The Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) and Capgemini released figures showing that one in every four pounds spent in the UK is spent online. They also predict a further 12% rise in online sales this year.

Another record was also broken in 2014, with Black Friday seeing spenders part with £810m online in total, making it the biggest day of the year. An impressive number given the annual event is only just beginning to get a foothold in the UK.

Capgemini head of retail consulting, Adgild Hop, said: “2014 has been an important milestone for the online retailer sector, with the £100 billion mark being exceeded for the first time.

“When we consider that almost £1 in every £4 is now spent online, and that a large proportion of the other £3 is influenced by some form of digital interaction, it becomes very clear that retailers need to continue to embrace the opportunity that e-Retail poses.”

Tablet and smartphone sales were also up 55% on 2013 figures, with £8billion spent over Christmas in 2014, an increase of £2.9billion on the £5.1billion recorded last year. Those figures mean that mobile sales account for 37% of sales made online.

RS London are an internet marketing company known for giving their thoughts on news and research of interest. They keep a close eye on the developments of e-commerce and m-commerce and are confident digital sales will increase further in 2015.

A spokesman for the company said: “Year on year, online sales are really coming into their own and that’s been helped on massively in recent years by the introduction of smartphones. The latest sales index from IMRG Capgemini demonstrate the significance of the online market in this day and age and why businesses should be taking seriously ways to attract and interact with customers online.

“What these figures show is also just how important it is to have a mobile-friendly website. Without one, you’ll likely lose lots of custom to your competitors. Businesses are starting to realise this as in the last few years we’ve helped a large number of clients to become mobile-friendly.”

RS London are one of the top internet marketing companies in the south-east. They offer an array of online marketing services, including social media, Google Adwords, search engine optimisation and website development. Visit http://www.websitemarketinglondon.co.uk/ for more information.