Men shopping online more than women

A recent study by real estate services company CB Richard Ellis found 40 percent of consumers are now shopping online, with men averaging one online purchase every 2.5 weeks and women buying online about once a month. The research showed that consumers in Germany, Sweden and the U.K. are leading the world in online purchases of footwear and clothing, with U.K. shoppers accounting for 12 percent worldwide.

Online consumers are also becoming more confident in purchasing items online, despite a lingering concern over security of financial information still holding hesitant consumers back. For these consumers, e-commerce sites are a source of product information accessed before making a purchase in store.

"Across Europe, consumers are most comfortable blending the best of both worlds - the speed and convenience of an online purchase with the more broadly satisfying and social experience of a trip to the shops," said Peter Gold, head of Cross Border Retail EMEA at CBRE.

Online retail sites have low overhead costs, prompting many sellers to adjust their online offerings seasonally. Let-It-Snow recently announced its website will be available for the upcoming Christmas shopping season to U.K. customers. The site offers hundreds of gift ideas, with a permanent 10 percent discount and free shipping on all orders of more than £75 made in the U.K.