UK to lead Xmas online shopping spree

The UK will be Europe's biggest market for online shopping in the run up to Christmas with 27 million shoppers expected to generate €20bn in sales.

The total European revenue from online shopping is expected to hit €51bn during the period from 1 October to Christmas day.

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More than 70 per cent of UK web users are expected to shop online, spending an average of more than €700 during the holiday shopping season, according to Forrester Research.

In contrast, just 30 per cent of Italian and Spanish web users will buy their festive gifts over the web.

The next closest to the UK in terms of predicted revenue is Germany with €12bn. French consumers are expected to spend €6.5bn.

Forrester Research analyst Victoria Bracewell Lewis said the increase in revenues is largely down to increasing consumer confidence and familiarity with the internet.

She added that 58 per cent of all European web users will buy an item online during 2007.