Online retailer Play.com expects that Monday 6 December will be the busiest day of the year for internet shopping. It predicts that sales will rise by 20 per cent year on year, as Brits try to take advantage of competitive pricing, and beat the forthcoming January VAT rise.

Dubbed Mega Monday, it is expected that Play.com will receive 1200 orders per minute on the 6th, and the site also believes that its peak time will be 9.30pm, as shoppers will wait until they get home to place their orders.

However, it is only online retailers that stand to specifically benefit from Mega Monday. James Roper, chief executive of the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) believes that many may turn their backs on the high street in preference to cheaper prices on the 'net: "Nervousness about the Government's spending cuts is likely to impact high street spend this Christmas, with a third of people saying that they plan to spend less than they did last year", he says.

"Despite this, it is a far rosier picture for online retailers who look set to do well this festive period. We predict UK consumers will spend £17.4 billion online in Q4, up from £15 billion in Q4 2009".

"28 per cent of consumers say they plan to do more Christmas shopping online this year and 61 per cent plan to do 50 per cent or more of it online, according to the latest IMRG e-Customer Service Index".

"The Internet has cemented its position as the place to go for value, convenience and choice, and continues to develop as a major factor in consumer culture in spite of the economic climate".

As part of the Mega Monday celebrations, Play.com will be listing some extra special bargains just for that day.

It is also keen to stress that the final date to order Christmas presents from Play.com, to arrive before Christmas Day, is 19 December. 

Do you do most of your shopping online? Or is there still a reason to go to a high street store? Let us know in the comments below...