The price of online goods has risen by an average 5.3% in the past year, double the annual rate of inflation, according a to a new survey.

The latest figures from the e-tail Price Index, issued monthly by credit card company Goldfish, show that the most significant rises have been in some of the most popular online sectors including food, leisure services - which includes holidays - and clothing.

Prices in the food sector have risen by 10% while the cost of leisure services has risen by 6% and food prices by just over 5%. Leisure goods, including books, CDs, videos and DVDs, have increased in price by an average 2% over the last year.

The prices of alcohol and catering were both up by around 4.5% since the same time last year while the cost of motoring expenditure was up nearly 3%

According to Goldfish clothing prices have experienced a particularly significant rise, as until July this year clothing e-tailers had been bucking the overall trend by cutting prices. However, since then online clothing prices have taken a sharp turn upwards with a 3.5% rise in August followed by a 7% rise in September.

"We are seeing prices rising dramatically online as e-tailers focus on customer experience and fulfilment," said David Cooper, business development director at Goldfish. "During the e-tail boom of the mid-to late 2000, e-tailers sought to attract customers by undercutting the high street.

"E-tailers realised this was an unsustainable strategy and that concerns over service had to be addressed in the longer term. The rising costs at the online checkout are a likely result of this."