UK internet sales doubled in 2003

The value of UK businesses’ internet sales rose to €56.5bn (£39.5bn) in 2003, more than double the 2002 figure of €2bn (£19bn), according to experimental statistics from the annual e-commerce survey, published by Britain's Office for National Statistics.

The results of the 2003 survey reflect an increase in the value of trade over all kinds of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) across all sectors of the economy, and by businesses of all sizes.

Sales over non-Internet ICTs, such as Electronic Data Interchange, e-mail, PC based fax and automated telephone entry, also rose, but more modestly, from €244bn (£170.8bn) to €280bn (£195.6bn), or 15 per cent. This represented €118 (£83) of every €143 (£100) sold over all kinds of ICTs.

Internet sales as a proportion of all ICT sales rose from €14.30 (£10) per €143 £100) in 2002 to €24.3 (£17) per €143 (£100) in 2003.

Internet purchases rose by 113 per cent, from €26.7bn (£18.7bn) to €57bn (£39.9bn) in 2003.

For every €143 (£100) worth of sales over the internet, €96 (£67) was spent on physical products.

The value of internet sales to households rose to €16.3bn (£11.4bn) in 2003 from €9.2bn (£6.4bn) in 2002.