Despite the recession, British people are leading the way in online purchasing in Europe.

Recent statistics from a price comparison site Kelkoo show that a total of £38 billion was spent in the UK in 2009, accounting for 30% of the internet sales in Europe.

As a leading online market, UK is followed by Germany and France. Together the three countries account for 70% of European online markets.

A report by the Centre for Retail Research is predicting a further growth of 12.4% this year in the UK.

Bruce Fair, managing director of Kelkoo UK sees 2010 as a year that will see online sales achieving significant share of overall retail trade.

He said in The Independent: “While the retail industry is showing slow signs of recovery, the online shopping sector bucked the trend in 2009 delivering double-digit growth, and is expected to continue to perform strongly in 2010.”

The report also shows that the highest average individual online spend was made in the UK (£1,102) as well as the highest number of items purchased online.

Source: The Independent