| p>Internet Shopping has finally exceeded the | | | | different levels of packages, this has led to over |
| £100bn mark and it may come as a | | | | 14 million of us connecting and taking advantage |
| surprise that this industry started with the sale of | | | | of what's on offer. |
| a book by one of the UK's most established | | | | Retailers have also seen the demand grow and |
| retailers - WH Smith. They opened their website | | | | just in the last year we have seen Top Shop, |
| doors just over 12 years ago and have since | | | | Ikea and other well known brands embracing the |
| seen an unprecedented amount of business come | | | | market to its fullest potential. |
| their way. | | | | One of the biggest threats to this industry is that |
| Analyst's Verdict Research anticipates that these | | | | of internet scams and online security. One that is |
| levels of internet sales will continue, possibly | | | | gathering the fastest pace is that of 'phishing'; |
| trebling over the next five years. Only in April of | | | | where customers are tricked into entering their |
| this year did we see record sales of | | | | personal and financial details into an identical or |
| £3.47bn, doubling the previous years levels. | | | | near-identical version of their much loved and |
| Many experts are suggesting that by 2011 we | | | | trusted websites. |
| should see an online spend of £28bn. | | | | With the need for more awareness and security |
| So, why the sudden increase or 'Internet Boom'? | | | | when completing transactions online, it's obvious |
| When broadband initially launched only 2 million | | | | that customers aren't being put off and are |
| homes took advantage of the offers available to | | | | continuing to search out that next bargain or buy |
| them. Since then we have seen a massive | | | | that limited edition present. |
| increase in broadband providers offering various | | | | |