Rather than facing crowded high streets in the run-up to Christmas many shoppers will be purchasing goods online to the tune of £5 billion, research claims today.
The UK payments association Apacs estimates that more than £5 billion will be spent via internet shopping, with December 3rd likely to be the most popular day to shop online.
In the last five years the number of adults shopping online has more than doubled to nearly 30 million.
In light of the findings Apacs has reiterated the importance of ensuring that personal data is kept safe.
"More and more of us are buying our Christmas presents online and the evidence suggests we like to do so about three weeks before the big day to ensure they are delivered on time," said Apacs director of communications Sandra Quinn.
"The internet allows us to take the stress out of Christmas shopping, but it's important that people take steps to protect themselves."
Apacs has launched new advice on its website about how people can increase their data protection on the internet and what to do if something goes wrong.
Recent figures released by the payments association showed that the total spending on cards, cash and cheques will reach £53 billion in December; an increase of 4.2 per cent from 2006.
Total spending on plastic cards is expected to increase by almost ten per cent this December compared to the same month last year.
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