Sales to households up by a third
The total value of internet sales jumped 56 per cent during 2005 to£103.3billion from 2004's£66.2billion, according to the new figures from the ONS. The numbers cover all business areas and are based on sales recorded by organisations employing ten or more employees.

The increase in sales to households, a key figure for internet retailers, was less sharp, rising 29.7 per cent to£21.4 billion from 2004's£16.5 billion.