Online sales leaped 18% year on year to £5bn in July.

According to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, Brits spent an average of £81 per person. A growth rate of 14% was recorded compared to June - the highest monthly growth of 2010 so far.

Alcohol sales took a knock after the highs of the start of the international sports season in May and June, and perhaps England’s defeat in the World Cup. Beers, wines and spirits fell by 9% on the previous month.

Chris Webster, vice president, head of retail consulting and technology, at Capgemini, said: “Although online retail sales survived the recession more convincingly than high street sales, the last two years or so have no doubt been shaky at times. It is really encouraging to see growth levels returning to those seen pre-2007 and before consumer confidence was knocked by the financial crisis and recession.”