With billions set to be spent online over the festive period this year in the UK, many people are not making the most of the retail choices on offer, according to new research from Royal Mail.

Thousands of companies now sell their goods over the internet, but as much as 72 per cent of all online consumers stick with what they know and buy from ten or less retailers, the recent study found.

Investments in online advertising and operations is on the increase in the UK and this trend looks set to continue as firms fight to get their slice of internet consumer spending, according to Royal Mail.

Catherine Campbell, head of multi-channel retail at Royal Mail, said: "Online retail continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, but UK consumers are not taking advantage of the huge selection of e-retailers available to them."

A recent survey from European shopping search engine Kelkoo found that over half of all Brits have found themselves with debts due to overspending at Christmas.