Mega Monday 2012 is here! And this time it is expected that Brits will spend £560,000 a minute online today, marking the busiest spending day ever for internet shopping, as Amazon, Argos, Zavvi plan to offer amazing deals to attract shoppers.

Christmas shopping will pull gift hunters to online shopping today between 9am and 9pm, leading experts to believe that Christmas shopping in December to exceed £5 billion. Credit card firm Visa expects its customers to make 6.8 million transactions today, up 21% on the equivalent day last year.

The Mega Monday 2012 deals include hot favourite items Tablet computers, such as the iPad Mini and Kindle Fire HD. Among Children toys, Barbie and Scalextric remain strong, while Lego is the most searched for toy so far of 2012, especially Lego Star Wars.

The Mega Monday 2012 will also see the number of visits to virtual stores to go up by 36% on last year, according to information giant Experian. Experts from Experian also expect the figures to include a ten-fold increase in mobile shopping, especially on iPhones and other devices, this Mega Monday.

Retailers including Amazon, Argos and Zavvi.com, will launch discounts up to 80% today as part of the Mega Monday 2012 deals. Amazon is slated to provide discounts on jewellery and fragrances by up to 70%, with up to 50% off laptops and women’s dresses and up to 40% off toys and car accessories.

Amazon is seen entering the luxury goods market on Mega Monday 2012, which will see the online retailing giant take on rivals such as Selfridges and Net-a-Porter with its Premium Store. It will begin selling womenswear brands, including 7 For All Mankind, Pringle, Hudson and Black Orchid.

Argos is cutting its prices by 50% on 1,500 toys, and Zavvi.com will cut prices on 1,200 entertainment, clothes and gift products by up to 80%. Asda Direct expects to sell 50% more products today than an average Monday and predicts CD sales will increase by 70%.

Related:
Black Friday 2012: Amazon offers week-long Black Friday deals for low prices
Best Christmas Deals 2012: UK Department Stores