Shopping on the web is growing about 15 times faster than traditional retail sales and has doubled on last year, according to a survey for retail group IMRG.

The take up of high speed broadband internet links is thought to have given online purchasing a big push.

A record �1.6bn was spent online in one month by UK web users and internet buying was described by IMRG as "a hassle-free rich online shopping experience."

Has your attitude to online shopping changed? How often do you buy online and is it hassle-free? Are you confident about credit card security? Tell us your experiences.

This Talking Point is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

I have bought CDs, DVDs and books online for the last couple of years and this year did 90% of my Christmas shopping. The big sites are ok - but I've had a few problems this year with smaller sites - accepting credit card details and then charging me for the facility without notification, or pages bombing out on me half way through transactions, leaving me wondering what state the purchase was in. I will not do it however without a credit card that guarantees against fraud on the internet.
Tabitha, UK

I have bought a couple of things online, and have had no problem doing this. Saying that, I still prefer the High Street.
Paul, UK

The biggest advantage of shopping online is that it provides access to buy some useful goods produced by other countries Mu-Fang Li, Taiwan

I have no choice but to admit that online purchasing is very convenient for modern people. And I have some experiences of shopping through the internet with very few problems. As for me, the biggest advantage of shopping online is that it provides access to buy some useful goods produced by other countries. However, in my city, online purchasing is not as popular as it in Britain. Most people worry about the credit card security and would rather shop face to face. But I think we should monitor our credit cards at all times, not forsake an easy way for shopping.
Mu-Fang Li, Taiwan

I would never buy anything online, or even in the shops. It's just too dangerous this new currency thing! I stick to good old bartering. What will someone offer me for 2 cows, 3 sheep, and a wife?
Colin Heyes, Germany (from UK)

Some people said postage fees would kill online shopping, yet the �3 you pay to get your goods delivered to your door is the same as the �3 parking fee in the shopping centre and far better than the endless crowds.
Richard Pasco, UK

The only thing that I haven't bought online was our house! Sally, UK

I've been buying online since 1996 - I think that the only thing that I haven't bought online was our house! I've bought furniture, clothes, cosmetics, CDs, books, flights, holidays, hotels, train tickets, exercise equipment, and two PCs. I've only had one problem and that was solved as my credit card company took control of the problem. I'm hooked!
Sally, UK

I've bought all sorts of things on the web over the years. Airline tickets, hotel nights, electronic equipment, clothes, food - even our car. So much easier! Of course, I check my credit cards and bank statements (online) to make sure there are no problems.
Denise McDonough, CA, USA/UK

I use online shopping occasionally and it meant I had done all my Christmas shopping in November.
Elly, UK

Like many others I've been buying online for years now. Travel arrangements from train tickets to full package holidays, furniture, entertainment such as books and DVD's, groceries, PC hardware and software. As long as a credit card is used and you don't go for 'suspect' sites, I don't see a problem. I shop online because of the cost reductions offered, only tackling the milling crowds of shoppers when I have to physically try something on.
Graeme, UK

I can't believe people are still scared of buying on the internet via secure connection. Quite often these people will happily buy mail order where the complete stranger taking their order could easily be writing down their credit card number for their own use! Mad!
Andy, England

Physical shops and queues are so yesterday! Laurie Knight, UK

With the seasonal queues building up to huge proportions, I am buying everything I can online at the moment and will continue to do so. Physical shops and queues are so yesterday!
Laurie Knight, UK

I've bought all my books online since Amazon started selling in the UK. I buy most CDs and DVDs online as well. For Christmas I've ordered hampers and things like that on the internet. You have to be as careful on the internet as you are when you go shopping in London. If something looks too good to be true, it probably means it is. I also only buy from companies with a good reputation. I'm not fooling myself, I know that there's a risk of fraud.
Christine, UK

As an ecommerce developer, I know the technical issues well, and I find it appalling how many companies are prepared to compromise on security in order to bring down their website development costs. I have worked on some major sites where credit card details are stored unencrypted on insecure servers. Having said that, I buy a lot of goods online, but knowing what I do, I try to stick to big, well-known brands, in the hope that their back-end systems are better than those of the smaller companies.
Ross, UK

Facing the Christmas queues fills me with horror Jacqui, Scotland

I shop online at least once a week - for groceries, books, and computer games amongst other products. My boyfriend being a builder also orders building materials online. Many companies are now offering superb services - e.g. guaranteed next day delivery - which can save hours of time. I buy a lot of outdoor clothes and equipment online - much cheaper than I can source where I live. My tactic is to view and test the product I want in the shop and source it online for a cheaper price (sometimes with significant discounts)! Online is definitely my preferred way to shop now, and facing the Christmas queues simply fills me with horror!
Jacqui, Scotland

I have bought books and holidays on the net, and recently helped my Mum buy a surprise trip for my Dad's birthday. She was sceptical but very pleased with the results. My only worry is that the ease of simply clicking a button to buy is doing my bank manager no favours!
Jenny, UK

For ladies fashion the online shopping experience is boring Laurence, England

Online shopping is ideal for things you don't have to see and try out, like books and CDs. But generally the online shopping experience is very disappointing. For ladies fashion the online shopping experience is boring - you need to try on clothes. And then there is all that bother of having to send things back if they don't fit or you don't like them. Also the mail is getting worse. You can't even be sure something is going to get where it is going anymore.
Laurence, England

I do a great deal of shopping online. I have no car and live in central London. There is a great deal of stuff I cannot carry home from the supermarket so I get them to deliver. You just have to be security conscious. I have suffered credit card fraud from handing my card in at a restaurant. For me shopping online has been far safer, more reliable and I have not had any delays or incorrect deliveries.
Mel, London

I often buy online. Am I confident about credit card security? I do not need to be, the credit card firm are liable for any fraud I may fall victim to.
Andy, UK

It's an easy way to shop Alistair, UK

I am happy to shop online and have done so for years. I monitor my cards so if anything unusual appears on my card I can stop it immediately. It enables me to shop in other countries at my convenience and helps me avoid those annoying robotic phone systems used by so many companies these days. Bottom line is that internet trading is no less secure than you quoting your card number over the phone. The chances of your card being charged for something you didn't buy are very small. Don't listen to the media hype, they just pander to viewers' and readers' fears. It's an easy way to shop.
Alistair, UK

I only buy stuff from reputable companies and only when I cannot physically go to any particular retailer...
Uplah, UK

Certainly! I booked a weekend break in Norwich recently over the internet, for more than �110 less than I would have been charged had I used a travel agent.
Nigel Baldwin, UK

Be vigilant and you should be OK Richard Atkins, UK

I run a company supplying computer and IT e-learning training courses. Last year we lost over �5,000 due to fraudulent credit card transactions. It's not the cardholders whose stolen cards are used who lose money, it's us, the online merchant. We get very little protection from the banks. So now we are very careful. All transactions are checked thoroughly and purchases are only sent to the address where the card statement is sent. Credit card details are never held on a web server or a computer connected to the internet. This year (so far) we lost nothing to card fraud and our sales are up. So to both merchants and cardholders I say be vigilant and you should be OK.
Richard Atkins, UK

I have bought many things over the internet with very few problems. As for card security the systems in place are probably safer than phoning a company and giving your card number to a member of staff.
Paul, England

You're having a laugh. Of course it's not completely safe to buy online using a credit card but then it isn't completely safe to buy anything anywhere using a credit card.
Jimmy, Ireland

The main advantage is convenience Richard Wallond, UK

Online shopping really is the future. I use the web to buy CDs, DVDs, books, computer bits. The main advantage is convenience although cost is also a factor these days. You can usually buy items online at cheaper prices than those in the high street. If you have concerns with security get a credit card dedicated for internet purchases.
Richard Wallond, UK

It's a very worrying problem as it seems great and so convenient to shop online. The recent eBay scam has shaken a lot of confidence in shopping online. However, this site has now been closed down and people are now perhaps more aware to be careful about giving out their credit card details unless it is a secure site and to be vigilant when ordering goods on the net and when replying to emails or opening up any attachments.
Joycelyn Sanders, UK

I have been buying online on and off over the past year or so, but because of work commitments, I would say that I have bought at least 50% of presents via the internet this Christmas.
Craig Whitby, England

I regularly use the web for purchasing items such as DVDs and CDs with no problems. I do however only give a credit card number as opposed to a direct debit card number.
Steve Dingle, UK