Fashion bloggers hold the key to online retail sales of up to $15 billion in 2015, a study indicated.

In a Reuters report, analysts are saying the exclusive and luxury fashion enthusiasts from the elite crowd have just been exposed to the choices online, but they are quick on catching up, especially since luxury brands are also increasing their exposure on the web.

Italy luxury foundation Altagamma said in its "Digital Luxury Experience" report that online sales of luxury goods still only account for 2.6 per cent of a market worth 172 billion euros, but is growing at a promising rate of 20 per cent a year, thanks to the new generation of buyers who are very much exposed to online merchandise.

Luxury brands such as Burberry, Tiffany and Gucci are increasing exposure to social media to entice a new generation born for whom the mobile phone and internet are best friends, if not a big virtual mall.

Altagamma said fashion bloggers, whom the new generation of buyers considers as personal shopping consultants for free, will help drive up online sales of designer clothes, jewels and luxury cars to more than 11 billion euros ($15 billion) in 2015.

Blogs and social media are setting trends more than fashion critics, with one out of two customers turning to Facebook or Twitter for advice before buying, the study said.

"Fashion bloggers are more and more powerful, especially in emerging markets like China," Altagamma's research head Francesco Di Lauro said.

China is also expected to overtake the United States as the world's No.1 online retail market by 2015, according to the research.

Luxury spending on the web also increases in times of austerity, as customers from the affluent circle prefer to go shopping from the intimacy and comforts of their homes rather than in lavish stores.

"Luxury will become less ostentatious, with the average buyer being Chinese, digital and rich," Di Lauro said.