Shopping online is expected to double to 14 per cent this Christmas, compared with 7 per cent last year, as consumers defy the credit crunch and continue spending.

According to the Annual Retail Survey by business advisory firm Deloitte, 74 per cent of consumers will use online or mail order in some way for their Christmas shopping. Two thirds will research or purchase goods online, compared with half of the population last year. Consumer appetite for all things high-tech will also reach new heights over the festive period, with increased demand for video games consoles and MP3 players.

In addition, shoppers are "going local", according to the report, with 29 per cent shopping in small independent stores, compared with 20 per cent last year. 16 per cent will go to farmers' markets, compared with 9 per cent last year.

Deloitte head of retail Tarlok Teji said: “This year, Christmas will go electric as consumers embrace the digital age. More people will shop online this year than ever before as the appeal of cyberspace to avoid the Christmas crush takes hold. High street players are responding to this growing trend. Our research shows a huge growth in the number of retailers providing online stores this year compared with previous years (51 per cent in 2006, versus 72 per cent in 2007).”

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