Western European ecommerce on the rise, study shows

While U.K. ecommerce has traditionally thrived over its European counterparts, other countries continue to improve their overall standing in the industry.

According to a recent eMarketer study, combined sales in 2013 between France, Germany, Italy and Spain will reach $121.5 billion, eventually overtaking U.K. ecommerce for the first time. By 2015, total sales for all five regions are expected to reach $343.5 billion, with more than 58 percent from France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

"Europe’s ecommerce market is a resounding success by any standard," said eMarketer senior analyst and author of the report Karin von Abrams. "As ecommerce grows across the region, each country seems to foster a unique blend of ecommerce habits."

Although other European countries may be closing the gap, U.K. ecommerce continues to thrive as more consumers opt for online payment gateways. According to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, the U.K. ecommerce industry increased by 19 percent in the first half of the year from 2010 levels, reaching £31.5 billion.