October 23, 2007

Europe's 2007 Christmas: An Online Retail Wonderland

Net Users Will Spend A Projected €51 Billion Online During The Christmas Season

by Victoria Bracewell Lewis, Michelle de Lussanet

with Benjamin Ensor, Lauriane Camus

Executive Summary (This is a document excerpt)

Online retail continues to grow, with a 58% increase in year-on-year sales in 2007. Online sales during the Christmas period are no exception. This year will bring good tidings to Europe's online retailers, which will rake in €51 billion collectively between October and the year's end — always the most important quarter for European retailers. The largest online retail market is the UK, with 27 million online shoppers spending more than €700 each online during the Christmas shopping season — accounting for a record-breaking €20 billion in online sales. Germany's online shopping spend has grown to €12 billion. The categories that show the biggest uplift are the typical gift items — books, videos and DVDs, jewelry, toys, video games, consumer electronics, and alcohol. Despite a smaller Christmas season boost, the leisure travel category will claim the most online sales — responsible for 31% of Christmas sales.

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