Online retailer Next has grown significantly to reach the number three spot, behind Amazon and Argos in the top 50 e-Retailers list compiled by IMRG and Experian Hitwise.
Next’s growth surged over the past year, rising from eighth to third in 15 months.
According to the new results published by Experian Hitwise, in the last quarter from May to August, travel websites bounced back with all of the major travel brands rising up the rankings since May 2011.
One in five websites in the Hot Shops List this quarter came from the travel sector in the list.
Having dropped out of the Top 50, cinema brands Odeon (ranked 37th) and Vue (44th) both returned to it this quarter. Cineworld also rose up the rankings in a strong three months for the movie industry.
The fastest movers in the Hot Shops List during the last three months were: Travel Republic (up 18 places), Odeon Cinemas (+14), First Choice (+12), Travelodge (+12) and Cineworld (+9).
Next was also a notable climber this quarter, moving up two places to 3rd in the Hot Shops List above Tesco and Play.com, said Experian Hitwise.
However, entertainment retailers Play.com, HMV and GAME all fell in the rankings, revealing a decline in demand for video games, DVDs and Cds.
Experian Hitwise director of research Robin Goad said their data shows that Next has never been so dominant in online fashion with 1 in every 11 visits in July going to the Next website.
Goad added, "As we expected, the travel brands rallied this quarter with June and July being key months for holiday, flight and hotel bookings.
"However, most of the travel brands are ranked lower this quarter compared to the same quarter last year, with notable exceptions being Travel Republic and British Airways. With big summer blockbusters including Transformers 3 and the final instalment of the Harry Potter franchise, it has also been a good few months for cinemas, with Cineworld the clear market leader in this industry."
IMRG chief information officer Tina Spooner said, "Amazon UK and Argos have been heading up the list for a while now, but competition seems to be arriving from Next, who have made great gains over the past year, rising from 8th to 3rd in the space of just 15 months."
