Online shopping powers across Asia Pacific

BANGALORE, INDIA: The days of ‘swipe it and shop’ is almost over, as the Internet is proving as appealing a shopping destination for many.

According recent survey conducted by Visa e-Commerce state that nearly 80 per cent of Internet users surveyed in Asia Pacific stated that they made an online transaction and spent an average of over US$3,000 each in the past 12 months, said a press release.

Right from air ticket and train tickets to cars and gadgets, everything is available online and more people are enamored by it, says a survey.

The most common online purchases were for digital entertainment, which rated up to 59 per cent. Travel rated to 51 per cent and fashion lining up 49 per cent, it added.

The sources mentioned that most of the Asia Pacific online shoppers survey reported that they spend the most on travel services that include airline, rail tickets, hotel accommodation and travel packages.

Mohamad Hafidz, regional head, e-Commerce, Asia Pacific, Visa, said: “Nearly a quarter of the world's population – roughly 1.4 billion people – used the internet on a regular basis in 2008 and in Asia Pacific, on average, a person spent about 20.2 hours a month online.”

He added that the survey has revealed online consumers in Asia Pacific recognize the convenience of online shopping as reflected in the high percentage of internet users who buy a wide range of products, from that for everyday use to the occasional high-value item online.