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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Busiest day' for online shopping | 'Busiest day' for online shopping |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The UK is set for its busiest internet shopping day of the year, with £320m forecast to be spent online. | |
| The internet trade body IMRG says the UK's Christmas online retail sales could reach £13.6bn ($19.9bn). | The internet trade body IMRG says the UK's Christmas online retail sales could reach £13.6bn ($19.9bn). |
| It predicts the peak shopping hour will take place between 1300-1400 GMT when £28m may be spent online in an hour. | It predicts the peak shopping hour will take place between 1300-1400 GMT when £28m may be spent online in an hour. |
| Martin Peterlechner, of Ivobank, said this highlighted the extent to which internet shopping had "become ingrained in our everyday lives". | Martin Peterlechner, of Ivobank, said this highlighted the extent to which internet shopping had "become ingrained in our everyday lives". |
| Online retailer Play.com said it was expecting sales to soar as customers turned to the internet for bargains. | Online retailer Play.com said it was expecting sales to soar as customers turned to the internet for bargains. |
| Monday will see sales soar by 25% compared to last year, the firm predicted. | Monday will see sales soar by 25% compared to last year, the firm predicted. |
| Shopping at desk | Shopping at desk |
| More employees are also more likely to be doing their shopping while still at their desks. | More employees are also more likely to be doing their shopping while still at their desks. |
| Forecasts suggest about 5.2 million people will be doing online Christmas shopping at work this year. | Forecasts suggest about 5.2 million people will be doing online Christmas shopping at work this year. |
| The research, by polling organisation GfK NOP, said one in 10 online shoppers were also planning to have their online Christmas shopping delivered to work. | The research, by polling organisation GfK NOP, said one in 10 online shoppers were also planning to have their online Christmas shopping delivered to work. |
| Mr Peterlechner, head of commercial development at Ivobank, said this showed many companies were becoming more accommodating to employees' needs. | Mr Peterlechner, head of commercial development at Ivobank, said this showed many companies were becoming more accommodating to employees' needs. |
| "The results suggest most employers would rather their staff make a couple of quick purchases online at work than take an extended lunch break to shop at the local high street,'' he said. | "The results suggest most employers would rather their staff make a couple of quick purchases online at work than take an extended lunch break to shop at the local high street,'' he said. |
| Some 29 million people are expected to use the internet to buy Christmas presents this year. | Some 29 million people are expected to use the internet to buy Christmas presents this year. |