US online holiday sales were up, but they were way up in the UK. According to poll of UK online retailers, conducted by Actinic, respondents saw a 27% rise in the number of customers buying online this holiday compared to the same period in 2006.

Even better, the online merchants reported an increase in online revenues—46%. ”46% is remarkable growth and continues the rise and rise of online retailing,” said Chris Barling, Actinic CEO. The findings indicate that not only are more Britons shopping online, they are spending more. And the trend is expected to continue.

Over half of retailers were very confident that online sales would continue to increase in 2008, compared to less than a quarter who felt that conventional retail sales would grow.

One of the reasons for the growth in online sales is growing confidence in online security.

“Two years ago, every other e-mail we received was to do with security, or the customer needing assurances prior to ordering,” said Jason Beer of Quality Silver. “Now people seem to think nothing of [ordering online]. Confidence in the internet is very strong.”