UK online shopping sales is expected to reach £5 billion during December 2009, predicts Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG).

The IMRG also expects that the annual Mega Monday – traditionally the busiest online shopping day of the year – will generate £350 million for e-tailers this year, a ten per cent rise over 2008.

Mega Monday this year takes place on Monday December 7th, and online giant Play.com expects to process between 1,000 and 1,100 orders per minute - shipping 550,000 units to consumers. The retailer also expects its year-on-year Mega Monday sales to increase 20 per cent.

“Despite the credit crunch, the online retail sector is still growing, with an increasing number of consumers appreciating the ease and efficiency of shopping online," said IMRG director of operations David Smith.

"Consumers have become much savvier and cost conscious in the current climate; we are seeing a growing trend of online price comparisons so customers ensure they get the best deal for their purchase."

Research undertaken by OnePoll for Play revealed that 77 per cent of consumers have been shopping online more during 2009.