Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should develop their online sales presence, research suggests.

According to a Eurobarometer survey by the European Commission, although over 50 per cent of retailers sold products over the internet, a minority of firms choose to sell internationally, reports bCentral.

"Retail transactions account for 58 per cent of EU GDP, yet the business-to-consumer market is still very much divided along national lines," said Meglena Kuneva, European commissioner for consumer protection.

"The results of this survey reinforce my view that SMEs are interested in entering the retail internal market," she added.

Indeed, according to research by Fasthosts, consumers spent an estimated £5 billion over the Christmas period.

The EU's Eurobarometer measures public opinion across the union's member states on a number of topics, including enlargement of the union, defence, the environment and the euro.