Internet shoppers spent more online than in any other January and the total spend was 75% higher than in 2007, according to new figures.

IMRG Capgemini e-retail sales index revealed that £4.5bn was spent online in January, with electrical goods and clothes the most popular categories.

This equated to a total spend of £74 per person on the internet in January, the research added, but was a decrease on the record amount spend by consumers in the run-up to Christmas.

"The index shows that January sales are as large a phenomenon online as they are on the high street, with the overall online market continuing to show strong growth," said Anthoula Madden, vice-president at Capgemini UK's consumer products and retail team.

Strong internet sales added to better than expected high street figures for January will raise hopes that economic slowdown in the retail sector may not be as bad as has been feared.