Apple second most popular UK online retailer

The Interactive Media in Retail Group recently named Apple the second most popular online retailer in the U.K., behind Amazon U.K.

Since last year, Apple jumped six places on the list, pushing Argos out of the No. 2 spot. The retail group associated the increase in Apple's popularity with the launch of the iPhone 4S, as well as the recent death of Steve Jobs. Both events contributed to a five-fold increase in web traffic to the site in the third quarter of 2011. In October alone, one in every 250 website visits from U.K. internet users was to the Apple site.

"Amazon U.K. and Apple are now the two biggest brands in online retail, and this Christmas they will go head-to-head in the gadget wars as the Amazon Kindle contends with the Apple iPad," said James Murray, marketing research analyst at Experian Hitwise. "Our data shows that iPad is the more popular gadget online but the Kindle's lower price point may entice shoppers this Christmas."

Tina Spooner, CIO of IMRG, said she expects £3.72 billion will be spent online during peak week in the U.K., and many retailers on the list have records of high sales during the holiday shopping season.

Product Reviews reported that Amazon has been the number one site in the U.K. since 2006, with Argos, Next and Tesco close behind.