With rising fuel, food and energy prices, more and more people are turning to the internet for cheaper deals to help make it through the credit crunch.

According to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, British consumers spent 38 percent more online in the first half of 2008, compared with the same period the previous year.

What this means is that 17 pence from each UK pound is being spent online, and IMRG have speculated that “smarter” shopping will continue as the credit crunch worsens.

Head of consulting for retail at Capgemini UK, Mike Petevinos, says that in the next five years, between 30 and 50 percent f all retail will take place online.

The Times newspaper reports that the small businesses which are expected to profit most from the crunch are specialist stores or those offering niche products.

Growing from a small online business to a larger one requires good service, professional packaging and reliable delivery, entrepreneur Alison Wade tells the newspaper.

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