Top 5 headlines, for your 5 minute coffee break…

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Web sales up 78% at Mothercare  - IMRG.org (23/05/2008)

Mothercare has revealed its online sales rose by more than 78% in the last financial year, reaching £85.5 million. The retailer said sales from its Direct in Home web site increased by 19.7% to £49.9 million during the financial year and its Direct in Store sales, where online purchases are made in-store, rose by 43.5% to £35.6 million

In October 2007 the retailer launched Gurgle.com, a social networking and information site for parents, which now has over 45,000 registered users.

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Social Media and E-Mail Spending to Rise - eMarketer.com (29/05/2008)

More than three-quarters of marketers surveyed said they will increase their social media spending during the next three years, according to Eloqua's "State of the Marketer" report.

A full 74% said they plan to increase their direct e-mail spending while about two-thirds will spend more on mobile texting and SMS.

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Sainsbury’s to invest £30m in non-food sales - IMRG.org (14/05/2008)

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has announced plans to start selling general merchandise on its web site and also to expand its banking operations.

The retailer said it would invest approximately £30m over the next two years with the aim of expanding its non-food product range.

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QXL to close UK operation - IMRG.org (07/05/2008)

After trading in the UK since 1997, online auction web site QXL.co.uk has announced it will close on 30 May.   

QXL customers received an email advising the company has decided to withdraw from the UK market and will close the QXL.co.uk site. Customers have been advised to settle any outstanding balances on their accounts as soon as possible. Bids on auctioned items will be accepted until 9 May, the company said.

Branded as 'Tradus’, the business operates in Eastern Europe where it operates under several brand names. The business is only withdrawing from the UK market.

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A third of UK web users bank online - IMRG.org (29/04/2008)

One in three UK Internet users banked online in January 2008.  The research, provided by Internet research firm comScore, shows 10.9 million Brits logged onto at least one online banking account during January this year. 

With 2.8 milion customers, Lloyds TSB was the most popular online banking brand, with 2.8 million customers and it was also the most frequently visited online banking service, with an average of 6.8 visits per customer during January.

News Source - IMRG.org