Report: Online health and fitness sales increase

A new report has revealed that consumer spending on health and fitness products online has increased this Christmas.

Figures released by comscore have shown that it was the top growing internet shopping sector of 2008 and sales saw an increase of 18 per cent since last year.

It is thought that people now have more trust and confidence in purchasing high-priced goods online, such as sports equipment like treadmills.

Consumers are also becoming more aware of their health, the research revealed.

Another sector that experienced an increase in internet sales was video games, consoles and accessories.

comscore chairman Gian Fulgoni explained that 2008 had been a difficult year for retailers.

"When the consumer economy eventually does rebound, e-commerce is poised to benefit from its emergence as an important consumer sales channel," he said.

The new figures could encourage people in the health and fitness industry to look into setting up their own site using a reliable web hosting provider in order to try and increase their sales.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 16 million households in Britain have internet access.