On-line fashion sales are a fast-growing business - and no self-respecting retailer would want to be left behind. So it’s not surprising to hear that John Lewis is relaunching its fashion website promising customers 200 fashion and beauty brands.

The major high street department store is aiming for a £70 million increase in internet clothing sales by 2011. Currently, fashion sales account for 6% of total sales at johnlewis.com but the retailer wants to boost that by 30% this year.

Robin Terrell, John Lewis Direct managing director, is reported as saying: “Fashion on-line is one of the biggest business opportunities for John Lewis over the next three years and there will be a significant step change in our customers’ shopping experience online.”

If we needed proof of how big online social networking has become then Facebook’s announcement that it now has a massive 300 million active monthly users worldwide is surely it. The hugely popular site also revealed that it is making a financial profit ahead of its predicted 2010 schedule.

Facebook hit the 250 million user mark in July. It’s estimated the site is gaining around five million new users a week and more than 70% of users are outside the United States.

This week, Mike Schroepfer, Facebook’s vice-president of engineering, is reported as saying: “Passing these milestones means we can continue to fund our development … and be self-sustaining as we grow this network.
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“We think 300 million is a just a step on the way to get as much of the entire world on the social network.”

A new survey has revealed that consumers are already shopping and “researching” for Christmas. The Google report found that 86% are already planning to shop - while 44% have already started their shopping. Some 36% said they have already begun buying Christmas gifts.

A spokesman from the Google Retail Team is reported as saying: “Looking at query volume using Google Insights for Search we see that search interest in ‘christmas gift’ has upticked sharply over recent weeks.”

So while it’s still months away, if you’re an e-retailer who hopes to gain business through Christmas shopping then it’s time to get your festive campaign underway.