Brits are Europe’s most prolific spenders, according to a new
study from the Centre for Retail Research (CRR), reports the
BBC. The research notes that UK consumers spent
£38 billion online in 2009, or an average of £1,102 per
shopper. Germans came second, spending £29.7 billion online
last year. The French were third, spending £22
billion.
Amazon.com saw net sales increase 42 percent in
the fourth quarter to $9.52 billion (£5.97 billion).
Operating income increased 75 percent to $476 million
(£298.3 million) in the period, compared with $272 million
(£170.5 million) in the fourth quarter 2008. Its
international unit, which includes Amazon’s UK, German, Japanese,
French, and Chinese sites, recorded sales of $4.56 billion
(£2.86 billion), up 49 percent from fourth quarter
2008.
For the year to 31 December 2009, total net sales increased 28
percent to $24.51 billion (£15.36 billion), compared with
$19.17 billion (£12.02 billion) in 2008.
Seed cataloguers Thompson & Morgan and
Chiltern Seeds are mentioned in a Financial Times Sunday column.
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