Play.com marketing manager Richard Chapple said the retailer has had a sales boost from shoppers wanting free delivery of goods, rather than taking their car out for an expensive journey to the shops.
He added: “Instead of expensive nights out, people are buying a DVD or video games. We now have 7 million customers with each adding more to their baskets.”
Chapple said the e-tailer’s product exchange site PlayTrade, which launched in March last year, has also benefitted from the downturn and now generates10 per cent of sales.
Small sellers – individuals trading their products – have significantly increased in the past three months as shoppers pursue extra ways to make money. They now account for 90 per cent of Play.com’s sellers.
Chapple said sales of CDs have gone up because its online position means it can stock a much larger back catalogue, while its high street competitors are devoting less space to CDs.
Play.com expects Christmas to be between 30 and 40 per cent ahead of last year, with several high profile CD and DVD launches.
Play.com celebrates its 10th birthday this month and will run a special 10 per cent-off promotion next month.
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