It wasn’t only the high street that suffered a festive slowdown – on-line shopping in general also dipped 3% during the traditionally lucrative period. However, some e-tailers did buck this trend and a study shows that while consumers spent less, more shoppers went on-line to shop in November and December 2008.

Now e-commerce forecasters are predicting that if businesses are hoping to beat the credit crunch – and have a successful, long-term business – then e-tail is the only way to do it.

At the same time e-rail analysts have revealed that the fastest growing on-line product genre in recent months has been sports and fitness. Next up was video games and consoles. In third place was clothing and accessories.

Those e-tailers suffering the biggest credit crunch hit include office supplies, music and movies, jewellery and computer hardware.

Are you an e-tailer that is bucking or confirming this trend?