PayPal’s UK Online Retail Report expects that online shopping with double to almost $40 (£22 STG) billion by the end of 2011.

Experian, who performed that research, believe that online shopping will be a key driver in getting UK retail out of the recession.

Looking at the numbers:

1. 137% growth in online spending

2. UK web shoppers in 2011 will spend £430 each, double the current figure.

3. 24% of UK consumers believe online shopping will overtake the high street

The research highlights that the rise in internet shopping is partly due to shoppers’ sense of empowerment, for example, reading up on items before making a purchase and interacting with others online before buying big ticket items.

Carl Scheible, managing director of PayPal UK, said: “As we all try to make our budgets work harder during the recession it is hardly surprising many of us have headed online to seek a better deal. In fact almost nine million of us now shop online at least once a week.

Other stats show that:

40% of online shoppers find it easier to budget by purchasing items online rather offline

47% believe their money goes further online.

By 2012m one in every 14 pounds spent shopping will be online.

Ivan Walsh