Online retailers could get a boost from the current economic downturn as consumers seek out e-commerce bargains, according to new research from affiliate marketing firm Linkshare released today.

The firm surveyed 1,000 shoppers and found that 56 per cent plan to decrease their offline spending, while only 46 per cent plan to decrease their online spending.

Over a third also said that they plan to do more research online in order to find the best bargains.

In addition, 45 per cent said that they use consumer review sites to research and purchase both online and offline, while nearly half said that regular promotions would make them more likely to return to an online store they have used in the past.

"Merchants need to listen to their customers and focus on what they're doing, " said Linkshare UK managing director Liane Dietrich.

"They need to understand where the distribution falls so they know whether the opportunities will come in targetting the majority or niche segments."