The value of internet sales by businesses rocketed to £71.1 billion in 2004, an increase of 81 per cent on 2003, according to the latest annual e-commerce survey published today by the Office for National Statistics.
Other key findings of the survey include:
*The value of internet sales to households rose by 67.6 per cent to £18.1 billion in 2004.
*6.7 per cent of businesses sold over the internet in 2004, while 35.3 per cent made purchases.
*33.8 per cent of businesses now have a website, compared to 30.7 per cent in 2003.