Parcel delivery services are likely to have seen an increase in trade from Debenhams this year following a substantial increase in online sales for the company.

The department store chain announced that internet transactions grew by 34.9 per cent year on year during the 16 weeks to June 23rd 2012 and have now risen by over 40 per cent for the year to date.

Recent interest in Debenhams' online offerings means it is now the 11th biggest web retailer in the UK by traffic volume, up from 13th last year, according to the IMRG Experian Hitwise Hot Shops List for May 2012.

The company's figures also highlighted the ongoing success of mobile commerce, which continues to be its fastest-growing channel.

Mobile devices now account for nearly a third (30 per cent) of the retail chain's website traffic.

Debenhams' figures for the 16 weeks up to June 23rd this year show that the group's gross transaction value increased by 3.9 per cent year on year, while like-for-like sales including VAT rose by three per cent.

Chief executive Michael Sharp said: "We have continued to make good progress and I am particularly pleased with the like-for-like sales trends in the second half of the year.

"Debenhams has again demonstrated the efficacy of our strategy to build a leading international, multi-channel brand and our ability to trade well in difficult market conditions, as well as the inherent strength of the department store model."

The chain has recently launched modernisation projects at several of its stores in the UK and is also expanding its brand internationally, with six Magasin du Nord outlets now open in Denmark.

A soft launch of a website designed for the German market took place as planned in May.

UK shoppers who regularly purchase items online and use door-to-door courier services can head to the Debenhams site to browse through everything from women's and men's fashion to furniture and electrical products.

Author:  Paul Burn