Cash-strapped shoppers may not be flocking to the high street, but they are still shopping from the comfort of their armchairs, and are even willing to splash out on expensive bags and blouses.

Raising the game: Next is leading the internet fightback by the UK’s bricks and mortar retailers

Net-a-Porter, a privately held luxury fashion website, has had a good year, and its strong performance comes hard on the heels of its rival Asos, at which sales more than doubled in the year to March 31.