The warm weather and summer sporting events helped lift online retail sales by 20% in June.

Shoppers spent £4.4bn online last month, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. This is the highest growth rate since June 2008.

In the first half of the year consumers have now spent £26.2bn online in the UK, Up 15% on the same period last year.  

Electronic goods performed particularly well online, with sales up 26% year on year and 3% month on month.

Sales of clothing online were up 22% for the month, with a significant lift seen in the number of accessories bought online, up 73% on last year.  

Capgemini vice president, head of retail consulting and technology Chris Webster said: “The combination of the World Cup, Wimbledon and the high temperatures resulted in a record June for online shopping.

“Despite turbulent times June has seen the second consecutive month of year-on-year growth above the 20% mark. Consumers are more savvy than ever and continue to look towards online shopping to find the best deals that the high street and the Internet can offer.”