Online sales of non-food products were up 9.9% in May compared to the corresponding figure recorded one year previously. 

This is according to the findings of the latest Online Retail Sales Monitor from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG.

It was revealed that online sales are accounting for a growing share of the non-food sales total, accounting for 17.4%of the overall number. This is a significant increase against the 16.2 per cent share taken in May 2014.

BRC director-general Helen Dickinson said much of this strong performance can be attributed to improving consumer confidence. 

"Over the last 12 months online has contributed more to non-food sales growth than bricks and mortar stores, rewarding the substantial investment retailers have piled into new channels in recent years," she commented, 

Ms Dickinson added that this continued growth is particularly welcome, as May 2014 was among the strongest performances in terms of online sales.