UK 'Europe's top online shopper'

Shoppers are increasingly happy to miss out on the High Street

The UK has become Europe's biggest online shopping market, overtaking Germany, research firm Mintel has said.

UK shoppers spent 9.79bn euros (£6.7bn; $12.2bn) online in 2005, compared with 9.71bn euros in Germany, Mintel said.

Competition between internet providers has lowered the cost of fast broadband services, making it easier for consumers to shop online.

Total internet sales in Europe rose by 51% to 40.2bn euros in 2005. Mintel expects that figure to triple by 2010.

"Mintel is confident that online sales of goods will grow strongly over the next few years as this channel matures," said senior retail analyst Neil Mason.

Mintel said there was plenty of room for growth in online spending, with sales made over the internet making up 2% of total European retail sales.

Companies are expected to benefit as online security becomes tighter and consumers become more comfortable with shopping over the internet. Last month, search giant Google launched an online payments system which aims to compete with auction giant eBay.