Online Ink Cartridge Shopping Increased Over Christmas

Ink cartridges purchasers contributed to a ten per cent rise in online shopping this Christmas, new research shows.

A whopping 86 per cent of UK shoppers took to their computers on Christmas and Boxing Day in 2010, up on 2009 figures, results from eDigitalResearch show.

The research also found that shopping via smartphones is getting more popular, with 22 per cent of online consumers accessing the internet with their iPhones, Galaxys and BlackBerrys.

As the snow hit the UK's shopping streets over the festive period, 30 per cent of online shoppers hit the web to hunt for Boxing Day bargains, with 62 per cent shopping for sale items and discounted products across both days.

"It is unsurprising that internet use over this festive period increased," Chris Russell, founding director at eDigitalResearch, said.

"Given the imminent January VAT hike and unpredictable weather conditions this year, retailers began 'after Christmas' sales earlier online than in stores, enticing shoppers to log on and shop for discounts."

The research firm said online shopping should increase further this year, as internet use and mobile shopping becomes more and more popular.

Auction house eBay has given smartphone shoppers the nickname 'moppers'.

Posted by Canzil Ahmed.