Overall increase in online sales in Europe. - E-commerce earned €143.7 billion last year in Europe, 4.7% of all retail sales. The 22% increase, is expected to continue in 2010, according to a study of 12 countries carried out for the e-commerce body Kelkoo by the Centre for Retail Research, based in the United Kingdom. This is one of the economic sectors, which had the strongest sales in Europe, illustrated the study, although this sector was barely emerging 20 years ago from the bursting of the internet bubble in 2000. In 2003, it accounted for only €44.7 billion in sales. The recession contributed to the expansion of e-commerce by drawing in consumers interested by obtaining better prices. Certain goods such as software, books and gadgets are effectively almost 20% less expensive online compared to shop recommended prices. In France, internet sales leapt up by a third in 2009 (+33%) to €24.7 billion. In the United Kingdom, total online sales in the same period were €42.7 billion and in Germany €33.4 billion. These countries alone account for 70% of online commerce in Europe. In 2010, online sales in Europe are expected to grow by 19.6% to a figure of €171.9 billion, in comparison to the expected rise of 1.4% in European retail trade. French e-commerce is expected to grow by 31.4% to a figure of €32.5 billion, forecast the study. In the United Kingdom, e-commerce is expected to grow by 12.4% and in Germany by 17.2%. (I.L./transl.fl)