Britain's leading e-commerce industry group says the UK has overtaken the United States in the growth of online shopping. The Interactive Media in Retail Group, or IMRG, says on-line purchases hit a new record last month when UK shoppers spent nearly $6.3 billion US (3.2 billion British pounds) on on-line goods and services. That's 45 percent higher than for the same time last year, compared to 25 percent in the US.

Shopping online could help to cut out the hassle of Christmas, according to Apacs, the UK payments association.

More of Internet Retailer's Top 50 web sites use RichFX as their rich media provider than any other company, RichFX reported today. This year, RichFX can be found listed with some of their most innovative and successful customers, including Spiegel.com, Costco.com, 1 800 Flowers.com, Chiasso.com, JCP.com, Ice.com and BassProShops.com. With more vendor relationships reported than any other rich media solutions provider, this continues RichFX's reputation as the category leader.