Online shopping is thriving while High Street spending slumps, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The ONS said online shopping continued to grow in January and represented six per cent of all UK retail sales.
E-tailing grew by five per cent to £1 billion, while High Street spending was down by 44 per cent to £16.5 billion. It grew 19 times faster than in the traditional "bricks and mortar" sector in December - a month in which retailers can make up to 40 per cent of their annual profits.
The ONS collected data from 80 e-tailers, including companies such as Boots, BhS, Debenhams, Mothercare and Next, which also have a High Street presence.
Online outlets said a major attraction for shoppers was the ability to compare prices on the internet.
The range of products bought online was also growing to include everything from underwear and shoes to wine and furniture.
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