Web sales still continue to defy the global downturn, it has been revealed, with small businesses in IT perhaps being able to take advantage of the lucrative online market.

Forrester Research discovered that the online spending of businesses in the UK is set to rise to £56 billion by 2014 with internet sales likely to grow by six per cent year-on-year until then.

At the moment, 28 million UK consumers shop online and this is expected to jump to a predicted 37 million in five years time.

The report continued: "Leading UK retailers such as Argos, Next, and Tesco have begun integrating their channels in search of seamless cross-channel customer experiences to help drive substantial sales growth."

Forrester highlighted the lucrative market which the internet holds in the UK as domestic consumers are spending more money online than their European neighbours, with the average British customer shelling out £1,312 a year compared to £771 for German citizens and £691 in France.

Last week, Phil McCabe of the Forum for Private Businesses said the internet is one of the best things available to companies wanting to get their offers to consumers.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).