Web braced for biggest shopping day of the year

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 8 Dec 2008 at 08:54

Internet retailers are piling on extra servers as they prepare for the busiest internet shopping day of the year.

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The second Monday in December has become known as "Cyber Monday", when internet shopping levels peak ahead of Christmas.

This year's big rush could be especially busy, as recession-conscious shoppers attempt to hunt down the best prices online.

Trade body IMRG predicts that internet retail sales will grow by 15% this year, with UK shoppers predicted to spend £13.16 billion in the run-up to Christmas.

Shopping site traffic is expected to peak between 12pm-2pm and 6pm-9pm today, as workers do their Christmas shopping in their lunch breaks and as they return from work.

If you're not planning to join the rush, there's still a couple of weeks left before you really need to start panicking about the internet shopping arriving before the big day. The Royal Mail Christmas post checker recommends a final posting date of 20 December for deliveries within the UK, although retailers may impose earlier or later deadlines themselves.