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The majority of clothing and footwear retailers in the UK have yet to offer online shopping, despite an audience eager for it. And e-business expert Zendor has found that only a third of these retailers have a transactional web site in the UK.

Its research, which evaluated more than 100 of the UK's major clothing and footwear retailers, found that 12 per cent don't have a basic site.

Although more than 50 per cent had information posted online, this went no further than relaying skeletal facts about the business, such as store details, and did not provide a mechanism for consumers to buy anything.

This is despite predictions by the Independent Media in Retail Group (IMRG) that, by 2009, a quarter of all UK purchases would be carried out online or via a mobile device - and that an additional 20 per cent of them would be influenced by online research.

Shoe shops are the worst offenders: only 19 per cent have an e-commerce proposition, compared to 39 per cent of clothing retailers. Both parties, however, are guilty of failing to capitalise on the burgeoning online retail market, worth almost £5 billion in the UK, according to Zendor. This is the third-biggest market online.

Across the entire online retail market, clothes and shoe retailers enjoyed the fastest growth rate across all sectors last year. Clothing and footwear retailers that were online enjoyed a 53 per cent increase in spending from online shoppers last year. There are currently around 10 million consumers driving this industry, attracted by the convenience of online shopping.

Zendor reckons that the retail market is predicted to be worth £80bn in 2009, with e-retail accounting for a substantial share.

Nick Allen, chief executive of Zendor, said that 2004 is the year for clothing and footwear retailers to move online or further develop their propositions.

"Clothing and footwear retailers could miss the boat this year if they do not seriously consider retail as part of a multi-channel proposition," he explained.

"Our advice would be for them to claim a share of this healthy and prosperous industry now. This is the year to make your move, if you haven't already done so."