Report: Firms to spend more on e-commerce technology

19th January 2009

British businesses will spend 15 per cent more on e-commerce platforms this year compared with 2008, according to predictions from Econsultancy.

The marketing website's E-commerce Platforms Buyers Guide forecasts spending of £540 million on e-commerce technology in 2009, compared with £400 million in 2007.

Last year, spending on such platforms rose by 18 per cent, Econsultancy noted.

It predicted that a number of trends will continue to proliferate in the world of e-commerce this year, such as greater integration among multi-channel retailers and increased use of data in online retail optimisation.

Businesses will also use their e-commerce sites to differentiate themselves from their competitors - something that will become more important as the economy continues to deteriorate, the report suggested.

Report authors Jake Hird and Richard Maven wrote: "With retailers coming under pressure to maintain or increase conversion rates, the user experience offered by e-commerce sites has emerged as a key priority for many e-commerce firms."

UK consumers spent £4.67 billion online during December, according to IMRG.