U.K. online sales grow 40% in first half of 2006, trade group reports

Online sales in Britain increased 40% in the first half of the year from the first half of 2005, reaching £13.5 billion online, reports trade association Interactive Media in Retail Group. Total retail sales in Britain during the period were up 3.7%, the group reports.

The trade group also reports that British consumers spent £2.25 billion online in June, up £850 million, or 60%, from £1.4 billion in June 2005.

U.K. Internet sales broke through the £2 billion-per-month barrier in November 2005 and have exceeded £2 billion each month since then.