Ecommerce sales to increase throughout Europe

A recent survey from DIBS and YouGov discovered online retailers will likely report double-digit increases throughout Europe for 2011, especially for travel, apparel and household goods.

The researchers predicted revenues from ecommerce sites will reach €213 billion in 2011, which is a 14 percent increase from 2010. The average European consumer made 7.4 online purchases in the first half of 2011, compared to 6.6 transactions in the first six months of 2010.

The survey found the top countries leading the ecommerce revolution will be Germany, the U.K. and France. Germany's ecommerce market is expected to be worth €61.6 billion in 2011, the U.K.'s will reach €61.1 billion and France's market will total €36.6 billion.

Just as the DIBS study pointed out, another report found more shoppers are booking their travel plans online. A Mega Deals survey found 45 percent of U.K. travel bookings are made online, while only 25 percent of consumers use high street agents and 28 percent book directly with package holiday and tour operators.

"The high profile collapse of major travel firms including Goldtrail and XL in the past couple of years has definitely impacted on the industry," said Russ Beech, director of Mega.co.uk. "In a climate where money is tight people are not taking risks with money and many view overseas travel as a risk not worth taking when a holiday in the U.K. seems to be risk free."