UK online retailers are expecting 2013 to bring greater sales and increased consumer spending according to research carried out by the Royal Mail.

64 percent of respondents are expecting to see increased sales from 2012 despite increased competition.

Increasing market sizes and developing consumer habits including the use of mobile platforms for purchases has also impacted SMEs.

35 percent of respondents are planning to develop mobile apps in a bid to harness mobile consumers.

The expectations for 2013 come despite the poor performance of retailers in 2012 with just over half of SMEs seeing an increase in sales during the year.