E-commerce is the fastest growing retail market in Europe. Sales in the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, The Netherlands, Italy, Poland and Spain are expected to grow from £132.05 bn [€156.28 bn] in 2014 to £185.44 bn (€219.44 bn) in 2016. In 2015, overall online sales are expected to grow by 18.4% (same as 2014).

(These figures relate only to retail spending)

This short graphic shows the total sales  (in billions) for each country in Europe in 2015 and also the growth they’ve had since 2014. The centre for retail research found that the recession had forced many shoppers to buy online rather than from traditional stores, whilst above-average growth in countries with smaller e-commerce sectors showed there had been an element of catch up. Retail focuses on the growing use of mobile technology as an additional factor in making online retailing attractive and convenient.