Both sites boost their hit rate
Argos.co.uk and Homebase.co.uk have both significantly increased their share of UK internet visits, according to data published by web analyst Hitwise.

Hits on the Homebase and Argos web sites rose by 18 per cent and 17 per cent respectively year on year in February.

Argos is consistently ranked among the most-visited sites in the UK. According to figures for the week to March 25, the retailer has the third-largest market share among online department stores, at 7.3 per cent. Amazon UK is at number one with 45.1 per cent, followed by Tesco.com with a 9.8 per cent.

Earlier this month Argos picked up the Online Retailer of the Year accolade at the Retail Week Awards.

Homebase.co.uk receives far fewer visits than the Argos site, but rates highly against its direct competitors. It is ranked fourth among house and garden sites, with a 2.4 per cent market share. B&Q takes the top spot with a 7.8 per cent share, followed by Screwfix Direct and Ikea.

Homebase relies on search engines to lure 55 per cent of its visitors, while search engines account for only 37 per cent of traffic to Argos's site.

Both retailers are part of Argos Retail Group, soon to be demerged from its owner GUS.