SEOUL (XINHUA) – South Korea’s online shopping grew in double digits in November last year due to robust demand for travel, food and e-coupon services, statistical office data showed on Wednesday.
Shopping in cyberspace amounted to KRW20.84 trillion in November, up 13.0 per cent from a year earlier, according to Statistics Korea.
It marked the highest monthly figure since relevant data began to be compiled in 2001.
Online demand for travel and transport services spiked 28.3 per cent, and the online transaction of e-coupon services soared 25.5 per cent on the back of the spreading trend to provide gifts such as coffee and cake through e-coupons.
Transaction of food and beverage in cyberspace advanced 12.9 per cent, and demand for culture and leisure services expanded 29.9 per cent.
Online purchases of clothing, household items, farm goods, cosmetic products, home appliances and mobile devices all expanded in double figures.
Mobile shopping through smartphones increased 12.1 per cent over the year to KRW15.24 trillion in November.
