The online retail market got off to a strong start to 2013 with sales jumping 16% year-on-year in January according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.

Sales were down 27% on December’s figures, although this is a common trend following peak Christmas trading.

Trade body IMRG and Capgemini are forecasting that the online retail market will grow by 12% across the year.

Sales soared 23% year-on-year in clothing with sales, the highest jump since July 2011. The clothing sector had a largely disappointing 2012, with sales of seasonal ranges affected by unpredictable weather patterns.

Mobile sales continued to soar, up 193% year-on-year, and conversion rates through the device are also on the up, reaching 2.6% in January.

IMRG chief information officer Tina Spooner said: “Consumers are becoming more confident in purchasing through mobile devices, as the experience on mobile sites improves. The conversion rate has doubled in the space of a year, rising from 1.3% in January 2012 to 2.6% in January 2013.”

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