On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

Comparison website Kelkoo confirms the declining high street shopping trend, reporting online sales across Europe grow by 18% Y-o-Y in 2011 to total €200.52 billion, before reaching growing by 16% to reach €232.76BN in 2012.

In comparison the analyst says total European retail for 2011 is up by just 1.8% Y-o-Y. E-commerce represents 7.8% of total 2011 retail sales across Europe, and could grow to 8.8% by 2012.

"Inevitably, this will have an ongoing negative impact on the high street, an issue which is forcing retailers to bring the two channels much closer together," Kelkoo adds.

The study covers 13 countries across Europe.

As we know, 2011 was tough on retail, with Dixons, Kesa and HMV all reporting falling sales and declines. Meanwhile, customers appear to be spending (and buying) more through online retail, despite the current economic situation.

Go EU Online Spending to Grow by 16% in 2012 (Kelkoo)

Your customers will probably like the idea behind the Just Mobile Highway Pro-- a small cylindrical device turning the cigarette lighter socket into x2 USB charging ports.

The USB charging ports handle different outputs (1A and 2.1A), while the device comes complete with a fuse for surge protection. A green micro-LED lets one know when the Highway Pro is in operation.

It comes in two varieties-- Pro (shipping with a cable for iDevices) and non-Pro (with x2 regular USB ports).

Go Just Mobile Highway Pro

According to GfK and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), global CE spending will reach over $1 trillion for the first time in 2012, growing by 5% Y-o-Y.

In comparison, CE spending for 2011 totals $993 billion.

"Despite slowing growth in developed markets, robust growth in emerging markets, particularly Emerging APAC (Asia Pacific) and Central & Eastern Europe (including Russia), has helped sustain global spending in 2011 at the relatively healthy level of 8%” GfK remarks.

The analyst says the smartphone sector will "remain the key growth driver in 2012." Tablets will also show strong growth, reaching $39BN in 2011. GfK also expects tablets to show "a strong double digit increase" for 2012.

So what will customers want in this year and beyond? Mobile connected devices, as consumers all over the world demand for the shiniest in technology.

Go Global Consumer Tech Device Spending to Surpass $1 Trillion in 2012 (GfK)

Futuresource Consulting expects connected TVs to "lead the way" in global TV shipments, predicting connected TV shipments will grow from 27% of total 2011 TV units to over 80% by 2015.

However Europe is still behind the connected TV curve, having the lowest current WW penetration rate with only 24% of TV sales being connected.

3DTV will also show growth, with global 2011 shipments reaching 16M units-- but only thanks to connectivity. Futuresource says customers will upgrade their TVs for connected features while being unaware of their purchases' 3D functionality. 3DTV should grow to take over 50% of the 2015 market according to the analyst.

IP connectivity is quickly becoming a standard TV feature, appearing in 60-80% of manufacturer product portfolios. Embedded wifi is also driving usage, appearing in many premium TV models.

Furesource expects LED TVs will continue making the majority of shipments-- accounting for 90% of 2015 shipments. The analyst predicts other technologies (LCD, PDP, CRT) will decline further throughout the 2011-2015 period, wile OLED will "gain traction" as more manufacturers start launching models carrying the technology. Samsung and LG alrleady announced OLED TVs at CES 2012.

Go Connected TV to Dominate Global TV Shipments by 2015