Falling consumer confidence has had no impact on online shopping, with web-based retailers booking a 9% increase in sales last year, taking total turnover to almost €10bn.

The growth came largely from sales of toys, music, clothing and articles for the home and garden, online shopping organisation Thuiswinkel said. Holidays and travel still account for the bulk of online purchases.

Some 400,000 people made their first online buy last year, taking the number of people who use online shops up to 10.5 million.

‘The recession still does not appear to have impacted on online shops and the number of purchases keeps on growing,’ Thuiswinkel chairman Ed Nijpels told Nos television.

The organisation, which has 1,700 members representing 75% of the online market, expects further growth this year.