IMRG, the industry body for Internet retailers, is predicting that 4.8 million shoppers would hit their computers on December 25 and spend a record 153 million pounds.

网络零售产业机构——英国互动媒体零售集团（IMRG）预测，12月25日将有480万英国人网上购物，消费金额将创纪录的高达1.53亿英镑。

 

Online sales surged an average 22.5 percent year-on-year in October and December and although deliveries have been disrupted by recent adverse weather conditions IMRG is confident shoppers will not have been put off.

今年10月份和12月份，英国网购销量同比平均上涨了22.5%。尽管近一段时间天气情况恶劣，影响了货品递送，但IMRG坚信消费者并未失去热情。

 

"Christmas Day has become a busy online shopping day in recent years as people with an eye for value look to take advantage of the 24/7 nature of online retail," said IMRG's managing director David Smith.

IMRG总经理大卫•史密斯说：“近年来，圣诞节已经成为忙碌的网购日，看中商品价值的消费者力图充分利用网络零售一周七天，一天24小时都能购买的特性。”

 

"With many people not being able to get out to the high street sales due to the wide-ranging impact of the snow, online could see a real boost over the next few weeks."

“由于受到大范围降雪影响，很多人无法出门逛街，因此在接下来的几周内，网购量将有明显增加。”

 

IMRG forecast that sales of expensive items, like furniture and electrical goods, could get a boost ahead of an increase in VAT sales tax in early January.

IMRG预测称，在明年一月初增值税上调之前，家具、电器等高价商品的销量会有所上涨。

 

Separately Tesco, Britain's biggest retailer, has announced a sale of home and kitchen products on its website ahead of similar offers in stores from December 26.

另外，英国最大的零售商特易购宣布，公司网店将先于实体店推出家居用品和厨具的促销活动，而实体店的类似促销将在节后的12月26日开始。