In an effort to make online shopping easier, House of Fraser is launching two virtual clothing department stores.

The retail industry is only becoming more competitive with the extension of most stores into the digital landscape.

With the recent emphasis of ecommerce companies taking advantage of social media possibilities to drive business to their online payment gateways, Heinz plans to increase their Facebook campaign.

According to a recent BBC News report, a new phenomenon is taking place in the world of online shopping.

Ecommerce giant Amazon recently announced the purchase of the U.K.'s largest online book company the Book Depository International, which offers more than 6 million titles worldwide.

Ecommerce made strides in 2010, and as merchants become more technologically savvy, the demand for improved features and functionality in their online businesses is expected to grow.

Online commerce in Western Europe appears set for years of strong growth, according to Forrester Research, which recently released a forecast predicting 10 percent compounded annual increases for the next five years.

Until the first of the month, online advertisers in the UK were not bound by the country's strict non-broadcast advertising code. However, the extension of the Committee of Advertising Practice's rules to online content will likely mean a boost for retailers who already follow ethical advertising practices, according to executive Pascal Fintoni, writing for NeBusiness.co.uk.

Improvements in broadband access speed may mean online retail will become the primary way in which U.K. consumers make purchases, according to the communications director of a server hosting company.

Consumer advocates Which? recently announced it would file a super complaint - one against an entire industry sector - to the government's Office of Fair Trading. The advocacy group alleges excessive surcharges were levied on consumers who pay for goods and services with debit or credit cards.