Twelve thousand non-financial firms were questioned as part of
the annual e-commerce survey, and revealed growth in the value of
trade over all kinds of Information and Communication Technologies
(ICT), all areas of the economy and by businesses of all sizes.
The figures show an increase in the value of internet sales to
households from £6.4 billion in 2002 to £11.4 billion in 2003 –
representing 29% of the total on-line sales in 2003. Internet sales
to businesses dominate the figures, at 71% of the total.
In general the value of sales over the internet, almost £40
billion, accounted for 17% of sales over all kinds of ICTs in 2003,
up from 10% in 2002. Internet purchases rose by 113%, from £18.7bn
to £39.9bn over the same period.
Sales over non-internet ICTs, such as Electronic Data
Interchange, e-mail, PC based fax and automated telephone entry,
also rose, but more modestly, from £170.8 billion to £195.6 billion
(15%). This represents £83 of every £100 sold over all kinds of
ICTs, said the ONS.
