Gloomy outlook for e-commerce

Online retailing is heading for the doldrums, the latest annual report from PA Consulting will show.

E-tailers are failing to make profits from members of the population that are already regularly shopping online, according to the group's Fourth E-retail Survey.

As less affluent and more price-sensitive members of the public begin using the Net to buy, the outlook for future growth and profitability is gloomy.

PA warned that if e-tailers are to see a step change in profitability, it is unlikely to come from a large increase in volume sales or share of market.