Shoppers spent GBP 5.7billion online in March

Good weather and Mother's Day have boosted consumer

online spending in the UK in the first quarter of 2012. According to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, online spending grew 14% from the same month a year ago, while the monthly growth rate was 9%.

According to IMRG shoppers spent GBP5.7billion (USD9.3 billion) online in March, greately helped by an impressive impressive yearly hike of 254%, although the conversion rate remains low. While there was an increase in March 2012 mobile conversion rates, doubling from March 2011's 0.7% to 1.4%, it is still way behind the 4.13% conversion rate from desktop PC users, reports BizReport.

"It is very interesting to have the growing significance of m-commerce confirmed, and should encourage retailers to factor in mobile devices to their total retail strategy," said Chris Webster, head of retail and technology at Capgemini. "The growth rate is important, but so too is the conversion rate, mobile customer experience must be improved to harness its potential," explains in a note Andy Mulchahy, IMRG's head of communications.