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Growth in e-commerce is speeding ahead of other sectors.

According to figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, online sales grew by 15.7 per cent from June and 16.8 per cent compared to July 2008.

The growth was driven by clothing, footwear and accessories sector, which saw an 18 per cent month-on-month increase, up 17 per cent on the same month last year and electricals, which grew 11 per cent on June, up 19 per cent from July 2008.

However, online alcohol sales sank 15 per cent from June and 23 per cent on the same month last year – the first fall in sales growth for this sector for the month of July since 2004.

Mike Petevinos, head of consulting for retail for Capgemini UK, says: ‘This growth continues to be driven by the apparel and electrical sectors as retailers further improve their online propositions with better product information, visual merchandising and delivery methods.

‘The other stand out result this month was the beers, wines and spirits sector. No doubt [the fall in sales] is due to the wettest July on record for England and Wales.'

According to a recent poll from online payment service PayPal, more than 12.9 million men shop online today compared with 10.3 million women.

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