Online sales expected to increase 14 percent

A new report from Kelkoo predicts online retail sales in the U.K. will increase 14 percent in 2012, after U.K. shoppers spent around £1,500 on products per person in 2011. Online retail accounted for 12 percent of total spending last year, the Press Association reported.

In addition, the report predicts online sales will increase 14 percent for the Benelux region and 13 percent for Germany. Chris Simpson, European marketing director for Kelkoo, said the population of online shoppers will only increase, thanks to new innovations to online stores.

"Over the last five years internet retailing has improved substantially thanks to the use of affordable 'always-on' internet connections, simple and secure payment systems and the increasing popularity of mobile devices, combined with the growth of mobile-based retail sites," Simpson said.

Simpson is hardly alone in noting that the increasing use of mobile devices for price comparison, product browsing and purchasing is pushing more retailers to launch online stores. V3 reported retailers should use online and mobile applications to engage consumers who live nearby or are otherwise in the vicinity of a bricks-and-mortar store. The store can promote products or share discounts via mobile devices to attract shoppers.