Internet shopping is now more popular than thumbing through weighty mail order catalogues, according to research from consumer analysts Mintel.

Its latest study reveals that a third of those quizzed have bought goods online, compared to a quarter who admitted using a catalogue.

The decline in popularity of mail order catalogues has coincided with the sharp rise in online shopping. Funny that, ain't it?

Anyhow, according to the experts the "days of the big book are over". They also reckon that the net is the "great hope of the home shopping industry". ®

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